SHE'S an English teacher by day but by night Gwen Hobson transforms herself into some of the most famous characters in film history to bring cheer to children in lockdown.

Gwen has been taking on the guise of Mary Poppins, Snow White and Disney princesses for special video messages since the coronavirus pandemic started a year ago.
She has taught at Nova Hreod Academy in Cheney Manor since 2012. 

“I have been dressing up in cosplay as various characters to make and send a variety of video messages, birthday, or just support to children and adults to spread joy during lockdown," she said.

Gwen is part of the Geek Asylum, which is a group with a shared interest in sci-fi, cosplay and superheroes. It has more than 5,000 members from all over the world. 

As a spin-off, some members started doing video message requests. Gwen joined in after she was inspired by a man in the United States who she saw online dressing up as Spider-Man and waving to children in lockdown. 

Among others, she has brought a smile to the face of 10-year-old Jessica, who has special needs and has been shielding, by dressing up as a princess.

Gwen has even helped a toddler with her potty training by dressing up and singing.

“I can cheer her up and offer some support and it’s really wonderful,” Gwen added. “I will keep doing things to help children and to keep them happy.”

She has been dressing up as characters for the last three years but decided to do it more often after her mum, Angela, died from lung cancer last February. 

Gwen said: “It put things into perspective and I was like – ‘why am I not doing this more?’. It’s more fulfilling and I get to cheer up kids who haven’t been able to see their family or friends for quite some time.”

“In the group, people are very supportive of each other and it doesn’t matter what you enjoying doing.”

The mum of  Cassi, 1, and  Kit, 5, wanted to be more involved after her son was sent a video message after he lost his nan telling him to ‘be kind’ and ‘keep going’.

He is following in his mum’s footsteps by recording video messages for his best friend.

She added: “It was so nice and made me want to be more involved. I would want somebody to help them if they needed it.”

Gwen, from Tetbury, makes her own costumes.

“The cosplay characters we make aren’t always exactly same so it’s nice when you get a compliment it makes me happy,” Gwen said. “You know the hard work has paid off and we make our own costumes to brighten people’s lives.

“We will keep it going for a bit but I’m sure we will ease off slightly. Hopefully we can start going back to events and conventions soon.”