Spiderman

Spiderman, the Gruffalo and fairies completed a sponsored fancy dress walk around an historic house to raise money for life-saving heart equipment at a children’s hospital.

The fund-raiser for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London happened at Blicking Hall, near Aylsham, was joined by about 20 families from across Norfolk dressed in colourful outfits.

Participants included Kathryn Howes and Michelle Ward, whose young sons were born with holes in the heart and Julie Johnson, whose daughter has an enlarged heart. All three children are cared for by GOSH.

Organiser Mrs Howes, 37, from Lancaster Avenue in Watton, said: “The turn out is absolutely brilliant. Everyone looks amazing. Your life turns upside down when you learn your child has a heart problem.”

Her 20-month-old son, Maximus ,was born with two holes in the heart and the problem was discovered when he was 15-weeks-old after he suffered heart failure. Maximus had heart surgery at GOSH when he was 19-weeks-old and is now on medication.

The two and a half mile walk was for the Love Hearts Appeal which is raising cash for intensive care equipment at GOSH. A similar event was held at Blickling Hall last year and raised £1,600.

Spiderman is a fictional superhero, brought to us by Marvel Comics. He was created with super strength and agility, the ability to cling to most surfaces and shoot spider-webs. With his ‘spider-sense’, he can react to danger quickly, enabling him to combat his foes and escape sticky situations.

Spiderman first appeared comic books in the early 1960’s, but since the 2002 movie featuring Peter Parker, the series really broke ground. We are able to identify with Toby Maguire’s Peter Parker because we see the man behind the mask and witness the hardships he faces as he learns that “with great power there must also be great responsibility”.

Since Spiderman started leaping across our screens, he has become one of the most popular and commercially successful superheroes. He is Marvel’s flagship character and company mascot, so has appeared in many forms in the media. Now that the films have been rebooted as 'The Amazing Spiderman', Andrew Garfield has taken over the role of Spiderman, which has brought a whole new angle to his story.

With these credentials, wouldn't you like to spend some time as the Man Behind the Mask?