A giraffe, panda, Fred Flintstone and Iron Man are just a few of the colourful characters you might come across in St Madoes this month.
But people need not worry that they are in a crazy dream– instead it just Andy Nixon doing his bit for prostate cancer awareness.
The 39-year-old has been donning a fancy dress costume and getting out running for Prostate Cancer UK’s Run the Month challenge.
Andy is aiming to complete 50 miles through April and has so far raised nearly £1000 – smashing his £250 target.
But instead of just putting on his running gear, Andy has decided to don a fancy dress costume each time he heads out.
That has the added bonus of giving everyone in the village a boost during lockdown.
Andy said: “I just thought it had been a long time in lockdown and hopefully people who see me cheer up a wee bit.
“People are starting to take notice. They have been coming up to me giving me money, which is really good.
“I’ve had people beeping their horn when they go past in the car. It really keeps you going.
“At the end of it, I’m looking to run the equivalent of a half-marathon and people can choose the costume I wear.
“It’s not easy to run in fancy dress, especially the inflatable ones. You sweat so much.”
Like many, Andy was inspired having known people who were touched by the illness he is running for. Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, killing one man every 45
minutes.
Andy said: “I’ve lost a few family members to cancer.
“One of my friends has prostate cancer right now. I want this to raise awareness as well.”
Andy, who is a factory manager, is certainly doing that with his colourful costumes which have proved so popular in the St Madoes area.
But he reckons not everyone is impressed.
Andy added: “My daughter Chloe is a supporter but when I run past her and her pals, I think she kind of hides.”
You can support Andy at https://runthemonth.prostatecanceruk.org/fundraising/andy-nixons-run-the-month-to-raise-funds-for
