Kirkcaldy Batman brings confidence and cheer

A man from Kirkcaldy has taken to the streets dressed as Batman to bring joy to kids and adults alike during the lockdown.

Mark McCormick, who lives in Valley Gardens, suffers from agoraphobia and says that wearing the caped crusader’s mask brings him the confidence to leave his house to help cheer his community.

Mark, who moved from Port Glasgow to Kirkcaldy 15 years ago in order to be closer to his family, had the idea after seeing similar acts on television.

Mark said: “I saw someone on TV who was dressing up as Spiderman to help cheer people up.

“ I thought that this was a pretty good idea and that I might be able to do something similar as I have a Batman costume.

“I suffer from agoraphobia and leaving the house can be difficult at times.

“My Batman costume covers my face so it gives me the confidence to go outside.

“I usually wear the suit about once or twice a week when I’m taking my dog for a walk.

“The funny thing is I thought that no one would recognise me as I had my Batman suit on – but I never thought about my dog Star!

“I had gone to the shop and people recognised Star.

“She gave away my secret identity!”

When Mark wears the costume it gives him an added boost of confidence knowing that he can brighten the day for people during the lockdown.

He said: “Not only does it give me the confidence to leave the house, it also cheers me up as well as all the people that I meet when I’m on my walk.

“When I was out for my walk last week in my Batman costume I met a family with a young boy on a scooter.

“When he saw me he fell off his scooter and was shouting ‘look it’s Batman!’

“He was really made up and his parents were laughing as well.

“I try to stay in character as well, asking anyone that I meet if they have remembered to wash their hands, and giving them tips on how to do it properly.

“I’ll keep going on my walks as Batman if it helps to cheer everyone up. The kids absolutely love it but I think adults get the biggest laugh from it.

“When I’m out walking all the cars are honking and everyone is shouting and cheering me on.”

Mark’s fiancee, Tricia Goulder broke down in tears when he told her he was able to leave the house while dressed as Batman.

She said: “What Mark is doing is amazing. I broke down in tears when he told me that he was able to leave the house as Batman to try to help bring some joy to the community.

“He has agoraphobia, so for him to go out like this is very brave.

“I’m extremely proud of him.”