Westhoughton couple don fancy dress on runs during coronavirus crisis

Bus driver Bill Hanlon, from Westhoughton, decided to go for a run on his own dressed as the 118 man last week on Monday, April 6 which raised eyebrows and laughter among those who saw him.

After telling his wife Lesley, 51, about the attention he received, she decided she wanted to join in on the action.

Three days later on Thursday, April 9, they laced up their running shoes and dressed up as Captain America and Wonder Woman and they got more recognition out on the road.

And on Easter Sunday, Bill went out as a dinosaur and Lesley dressed as a woman from the prehistoric era.

The couple as Wonder Woman and Captain America

Bill as the 118 man

Dad-of-one Bill, 53, said: “I did it for a laugh for my own purpose to start with but people were laughing and beeping their car horns.

"When I told Lesley, she suggested we should both do it.

“We are trying to lift spirits and make people smile in these strange times.

“We have had a very positive response on Facebook with hundreds of likes and lots of comments.

“The kids love it, especially the dinosaur outfit.

“It is nice knowing that this is brightening people’s days and getting people laughing.”

Bill and Lesley are set to go out in their dinosaur-themed outfits again while Bill has said he will go out dressed as Batman and Spider-Man soon.

The pair out on the road

Bill was due to run in his dinosaur outfit at a 10k in Blackpool this year in aid of Trinity Hospice, which is based there and provides palliative care for children.

But after running in it, Bill realised it would have been too tough a task to run that distance in it.

The pair also enjoy going to 1940s-themed nights, wearing outfits from that era on those occasions.

Bill is also hoping people can donate other outfits to wear to save on costs as he and Lesley continue to do their fancy dress runs.

To donate an outfit contact Bill on 07989 742420.