Well done, but I bet you were cold in that dress - readers react to James's dancing fundraiser for mental health
“Anyone who knows the impact of suicide knows the importance of having someone to turn to in their hour of need - huge respect and well done for raising money for a very worthy charity”
The words of Echo reader Yvonne Nixon after watching the dance routines of James Revell who took to the city’s streets in a female Santa costume to raise money for the mental health charity SANE.
James, 26, from Pennywell, decided to don the festive dress and get dancing in the streets after one his friends tragically took his own life earlier this year (2025).
After raising £689 in their collection bucket, James said: “I’m really pleased with how much we raised in just five days, but it’s not just about money. If you are struggling with your mental health then please reach out and ask someone to listen - it’s far better than potentially having to go to your friend’s funeral.”
James efforts certainly sparked a reaction from Echo readers, a number of whom said they had struggled with their own mental health.
One social media poster said: “Good for you. It’s an illness that because people can’t see it, they either don’t understand it or don’t think it’s real. I can tell them from personal experience, and a hospital stay, it’s very real. Well done for raising awareness and I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend.”
Another poster added: “I suffer with my own mental health but watching these lads made my days happier. I would like to say thank you from my heart as you helped me to laugh.”
James was joined on two of his dancing days by brother-in-law Robert Hipkin. The duo’s dance routines were filmed by friend Bradley Moody and posted on social media to help raise awareness of their cause.
Frills Cares said: “He's all over TikTok and raised some fantastic money. I love watching him make people smile.”
Elainne Mcintyre said: “I saw him when I was on the Christmas markets and what a blast we had. James had us all dancing - well done lad.”
Billy Stewart added: “I watched him on TikTok - more people like this are needed.”
Julie Gallagher simply said: “Well done, but I bet you were cold in that dress.”
SANE is a mental health charity which aims to “raise awareness, improve services, provide emotional support and host research”.