Amazing year of fundraising for fancy dress superhero uncle Billy Palmer
Published: 15:45, 01 July 2015
Have you spotted Where's Wally on your travels today?
The familiar red-and-white striped jumper and hat was the costume of choice for Billy Palmer on the first day of a whole year which he will spend in fancy dress to raise money in memory of his niece.
The father-of-three said: “I’ve been to Maidstone and Chatham - if one more person shouts ‘I’ve found him’ I’m going to scream.
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“It’s been an interesting day, one man brought his daughter over because she wanted to meet Where’s Wally.”
For the next 365 days he will wear a different outfit meaning he will have to go on holiday in fancy dress, pick up the kids from school dressed as a cartoon hero and even, potentially, turn up for someone’s big day dressed as Shrek, as he is a wedding photographer.
To avoid temptation, the 29-year-old has even donated all of his “normal” clothes to charity.
Video: Billy Palmer's fancy dress challenge - Jem Collins reports
His niece Lorelie died at the age of 13 months from a rare condition that attacks the immune system and internal organs.
Mr Palmer, from Medway, said: “I have been thinking of ways to raise money for her ever since, from jumping out of a plane to shaving my head.
“But it’s an uncle’s job to be daft, crazy and fun and therefore I’ve decided to spend the entire year in fancy dress.”
So far his children have suggested he should dress up as Elsa from Frozen, a potato and a dragon and Spider-Man.
Lorelie – affectionately known as Lolly by her family – was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and diagnosed with Ipex syndrome.
It usually affects young boys and she was thought to have been only the second female in 30 years to have the condition.
When she was transferred to a specialist hospital in Newcastle, the Ronald McDonald House charity gave her parents somewhere to stay. She died two years ago.
Office worker Mr Palmer said he was inspired by Eve Hazelton from Devon, who spent the last year in fancy dress costumes to raise money for breast cancer awareness charity, CoppaFeel.
He hopes to match Miss Hazelton’s target of £20,000 which will be split between Ronald McDonald House Charities and Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.
You can follow Mr Palmer on his journey online at mycrazyyear.co.uk
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Clare Freeman