This tiny robin has been meeting a Newcastle NHS worker on his lunch every day for over a year.
Richard Coates, 25, works in the critical care unit at the busy Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
He takes short breaks during his 12- hour shifts in a local park across from the wards.
Richard, of Bedlington, Northumberland, used to sit alone until one day in December 2019, when he was joined by the bird.
The feathered friend sat next to him on a bench for the whole of his break.
And the robin continued to show up every day afterwards.
Richard says the bird – who he calls Little Dude – acts as a reminder that everything will eventually be OK after a difficult shift in
the hospital.
Richard, who assists with patient care and hopes to qualify as a nurse soon, told the Star: “It’s absolutely crackers.
“He just popped out of the bush behind me and kind of never left.
“As soon as he realises who it is on the bench he flies straight over.
“It’s peaceful when he pops up, just a reminder that eventually everything will be back to normality.”
