Dublin Bus staff members went above and beyond expectations to make sure a young boy had a very special Christmas surprise.
Mum Christine Sweetman Cullen was searching for the perfect Christmas present for her young son Tadhg who has autism. Tadhg has a special interest in bus stops and with that in mind Christine got in touch with Dublin Bus.
She found that the staff couldn't have been nicer and with the help of a woman named Jess, the process to make Christmas extra special for Tadhg was underway. After a few weeks Jess got back to Christine and said that two other staff members, named Dave and Ron, would be more than happy to create a custom bus stop for Tadhg.
The custom Dublin bus stop they created not only had his name but his favourite number. In a brilliant video posted on social media by Christine, the moment Tadhg opened his Christmas present can be seen.
Christine said: "So anyone who knows our Tadhg knows how obsessed he is with bus stops. He's memorized all the bus numbers and even Google maps bus stops on routes he's never been down. We bring him on outings, parks, parties, shops and he insists you leave to look at the bus stops he would prefer this to doing anything. Tadhg has asd and doesn't play with a lot of toys so it's hard to pick out toys for Santa to bring, he doesn't really react to a lot of toys.
"So with this in mind I called Dublin bus to ask for a bus stop they might have in a skip I could do something with. Weird request I know but it's what he loves so nervously I rang Dublin bus with my weird request. I spoke to a man first who was lovely, took my request and said they don't normally do this but he would pass on the message but they could send me a sticker. I was happy enough with that anything would do."
She continued: "Within 15 minutes I got a call from a lovely lady called Jess as I explained the weird request, she was so lovely and so understanding. She said no problem I will get you a bus stop. I couldn't believe it I was chuffed as I said anything would have done.
"A couple of weeks later I got a phone call from Jess she told me that the lads ( later I found out their names were Dave and Ron) would make him up his very own personal bus stop with whatever number he wants and put his name on it. I was almost in tears these people went above and beyond for my boy they put in extra work this side of Christmas, not only that they delivered it right to my door they were so nice and also gave him a hat and a badge. I was almost in tears. They have made our boy so happy they literally made his Christmas."
Many people took to social media to share their amazement at the kindness of the Dublin Bus staff. Tadhg now has the bus stop outside their family home in north Dublin to the delight of his family and neighbours. Christine also gave a special shout out to the Dublin Bus staff involved, particularly Jess, Dave and Ron who made the extra special and unique gift for Tadhg a reality.
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