Meet the Boldon postman doing his rounds in fancy dress to lift families spirits

A Sunderland postman has become a legend in his community by bringing a smile to people of Boldon's faces.

After seeing the mood of his much-loved customers change following theCOVID-19 lockdown, Jon Matson came up with a way to make each daybrighter for the families that he sees on his rounds.

So Jon decided to dress up in fancy dress to lift their spirits andfamilies so far have had their post delivered by a cheerleader, LittleBo Peep and a Gladiator.

And now Jon has promised that there will be more outfits appearingevery day on his rounds.

After taking part in the South Shields Cancer Connections Boxing DayDip every year, Jon had a drawer full of fancy dress outfits at home.

So the father of two decided to put them to good use on his rounds.

The 39-year-old said: "From doing my rounds every day I’ve got to knowpeople well and I saw how their moods changed.

"I had a drawer full of outfits so I thought why not dress up andcheer them up."

For many families, a postman may be the only person that they will seeevery day and Jon is on a mission to lift their spirits - showing whattrue community spirit is all about.

The Sunderland postie initially planned to do this a few times a weekbut as word has got around and now South Tyneside is behind him, Jonhas now changed his mind.

After being overwhelmed by the reaction of his customers and on socialmedia, Jon has been collecting new outfits from family members to makesure he can continue every day.

Zoe Grant, who lives on Jon’s postal route, is full of praise for her postman.