A dotty dinosaur which has gathered a huge following in Bradford during the coronavirus lockdown has been revealed as a local doctor.
The man in the suit of street dancing Dorothy the dinosaur is Paul Bamber, who works as a medical doctor for our charity in its Forward Leeds drug and alcohol recovery service.
Dr Bamber has been swaying, skipping, skating and cycling around Idle and Thackley in North Bradford to bring a lockdown lift to local residents – especially the children.
He said: “It started out as a bit of fun on Easter Saturday after a friend suggested I wore my dinosaur outfit for my daily exercise. I started to notice children giggling in gardens and tapping on windows as I went past, so I would stop, wave and do silly things like a few dance moves.
“The most joyous part of being Dorothy has been interacting with the local children, playing peek-a-boo, doing silly dance and fitness moves and listening to their giggles. It has been an absolute delight to entertain them and the strength and love this has given me has really helped me cope with the challenges at work during this difficult time.
Dr Bamber added: “We are all experiencing disconnection from our friends and family so a welcome and surprising benefit of my daily dino dash is the increased connection I feel with my local community.”
Dr Bamber works as a Senior Clinician at Forward Leeds, the city’s alcohol and drug service, supporting people who have come for treatment for substance misuse issues.
Humankind Medical Director Dr Roya Vaziri said: “We’re all so proud of Paul. He is known for his community spirit. He has a real warmth and is really committed helping the people he works with and supporting his colleagues in Forward Leeds.”
Dorothy has developed a large online following with a Facebook group of over 1300 members who upload photos and videos of sightings of the “Thackley T rex” to the social media site.
The twirling t-rex dons a range of outfits to keep its fans guessing. On VE Day, the delightful dinosaur was bedecked in Union flag bunting as it visited social distancing street parties.
Meanwhile, big hearted Dr Bamber has also been helping out on the NHS 111 coronavirus helpline in the evenings.
In response to requests from the rhumbaing reptile’s many admirers, the good doctor has set up a JustGiving page for the homeless charity Crisis and would be thrilled for any contribution no matter how small.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thackleyt-rex
Dotty on Facebook
For more Dorothy see videos posted here on its public page.
Dorothy dancing in the streets to entertain people getting a takeaway coffee from Banjos near Shipley.
https://www.facebook.com/joannedean.rhodes/videos/3232360326988499/
Dorothy leads some children in an impromptu exercise class.
https://www.facebook.com/claire.dove1/videos/10158809479288623/
Dorothy rollerskating into a VE Day Social Distancing Street Party.
https://www.facebook.com/jennymush/videos/10158590416159187/
Dorothy entertains some children with her Hawaiian hula dancing.
https://www.facebook.com/janine.kelly.330/videos/10158162780794801/
Dorothy spotted cycling along the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath.
https://www.facebook.com/1041379313/videos/10219161921132491/
Dorothy dressed up and dancing in her heels and feather boa. https://www.facebook.com/100001517053021/videos/3094694607257744/
Dorothy out on a damp night with her multi-coloured umbrella and wearing her wellies.
https://www.facebook.com/donna.reynolds.129357/videos/2983366478556341/