Superheroes step up to coronavirus battle in Easter Ross; Spider-Man, Wonder Woman and Sonic team up to help out Alness and Invergordon
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TWO Easter Ross towns have enlisted the help of an unlikely band of superheroes in the fight against coronavirus.
Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario, Bat Woman and Bumblebee have all been seen pounding the streets of Alness and neighbouring Invergordon.
Mary Poppins and even The Little Mermaid have also been getting in on the act as part of a wll-received community push to put smiles on faces and ensure people struggling with the lockdown that they are not alone.
Alness and Invergordon Fancy Dress Runners was set up by community activists as a way of spreading a little sunshine, particularly for children and folk experiencing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
It has also provided a creative opportunity for children to draw pictures of the fancy dress characters and post them on the route.
A spokeswoman for the group told the Ross-shire Journal: "Mental health and well-being and maintaining this at such a time of national uncertainty is crucial, but people may find themselves with significant feelings of grief and loss as they mourn the life and routine they once knew. "This is where our kind volunteers come in who selflessly donate their daily time outside to dress up and bring some light to those who might be struggling.
"We make sure that our runners stay safe at all times and we ask that members of the public watch us from their houses and gardens. We want to do this safely so that Government restrictions are upheld and nobody is put at risk."
Some runners will be familiar to anyone taking part in the Alness Parkrun but for now the caped crusaders are keeping their identities under wraps.
One impressed bystander, Claire Ross, said: "I know this lockdown is so difficult for everyone and we personally are so incredibly lucky and grateful to have healthy kids who are staying safe. But it is confusing for all the wee kids to understand why they can't see their pals or go to the park.
"The excitement on their wee faces when they see their cartoon heroes wave at them and run past is just heart-warming. It seems like anything is possible when these random characters run past your window!"
