Julie Richardson, a bus driver for Go North East, has been delighting passengers in North Tyneside, Newcastle, and Gateshead this December by dressing up as a different festive character each day.
From the Grinch to Frosty the Snowman, Richardson’s creative costumes have become a source of joy for both children and adults alike. The idea for her festive wardrobe began after a series of personal losses during December in past years.
Richardson, who has been a bus driver for over 21 years, decided she wanted to make the month a happier time for herself and others. She began with simple costumes, but her passion for dressing up quickly turned into a daily tradition.
“I wanted to make it a happy month,” Richardson explained. “There’s enough bad in the world, and I just love to see kids smile. When I’m dressed as an elf, they ask if I know Santa, and I tell them, ‘Of course, I do!’ It’s wonderful to bring a little joy to their day.”
Richardson, who starts her shifts at 4:00 AM, goes the extra mile to ensure her costumes are ready, sometimes waking up even earlier to apply face paint and prepare.
With three suitcases full of fancy dress outfits—spanning everything from Santa Claus to Nutcrackers—the costume collection has cost her hundreds of pounds, but she says the investment is well worth it.
“I love dressing up,” she shared. “It started when I was a teenager, doing fancy dress balls at college. It began with just an elf costume, but it expanded from there. I’ve got all sorts now, and I look forward to picking out a new one each day.”
Her daily transformation has not only brought cheer to her young passengers but has also turned into a guessing game. Each morning, passengers eagerly anticipate which character Richardson will be, creating an exciting atmosphere on her bus routes. Colleagues at the depot also try to catch a glimpse of her latest outfit.
Scott Crossland, a fellow bus driver at Go North East, praised Richardson’s commitment to spreading cheer. “She’s crackers in the best way possible. I couldn’t pull off dressing up like that, but Julie does it brilliantly. It’s fantastic to see the reactions of passengers and how much they love it.”
Despite the time and effort involved, Richardson insists that the joy she brings to her passengers is the best reward. “Life’s too short,” she said. “If I can make myself laugh and make other people laugh, then the job’s done.”
Her festive spirit has not only added fun to the daily commute but has also brought a sense of community among her passengers and colleagues, making this December one to remember.
