EXCLUSIVE: This Spider-Man uses superhero magic to boost sick children in hospital after son inspired him
Beneath the Spider-Man mask is hero Dale Grounds, 33, who was inspired to put on the disguise eight years ago when his son Reece was in hospital after an asthma attack
This Spider-Man is weaving threads of superhero magic to boost children in hospital.
And it’s proving welcome medicine with seriously ill kids who are battling to get better. Beneath the Spider-Man mask is Dale Grounds, 33, who was inspired to put on the disguise eight years ago when his son Reece was in hospital after an asthma attack. Dale was so moved by seeing the children waiting anxiously for treatment that he wanted to make them smile when he visited Reece, now 15.
The dad of two, a councillor, says: “It was heartbreaking seeing all the children on the hospital ward, and I thought being Spider-Man might cheer them all up. So I went back a few weeks later with lots of Easter eggs, dressed up, and the children loved it.”
For four years volunteer Dale has regularly visited kids on the dialysis ward at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, getting to know some patients and staying in touch throughout their treatment. They include Rio Smith, eight, from Derby, who has had more than 30 operations, including a kidney transplant. Mum Courtney, 27, says: “He and his friend Arthur have known Spider-Man since they were toddlers on the ward together and they get so excited when they know he’s coming.”
Arthur Groom, seven, from Leicester, has a rare disorder called prune belly syndrome, where all or part of the stomach muscles are missing, and has needed dialysis up to four times a week from the age of one. His mum Megan Craven, 29, says: “Spider-Man really helped him get through it. He even FaceTimed Arthur on his birthday. What little boy wouldn’t want Spider-Man as his best friend?”
Harley Dague, 12, from Mansfield, Notts, needed a transplant after he was born with cysts on his kidneys. His mum Zoe, 39, a carer, says: “He’s been through so much and Spider-Man has always been there for him. He’s a true superhero.” Dale, from Kirkby in Ashfield, Notts, has found a big fan in Indie Hogan, four, from Co Antrim, Northern Ireland. The tot had to have a liver transplant at 19 days old, after being diagnosed with acute liver failure.
Mum Samara, 37, says: “Indie adores Spider-Man. She first met him at the recent Transplant Games in Nottingham. It was a special moment when he lifted her onto the podium to get her medal for the cup stacking event – she was more thrilled by that than by winning!”
Dale, who has set up the Heroes Bringing Hope Foundation raising money to fund days out for the children and to buy computers, video games, TVs and coffee machines for the wards, was there when Henry Entwistle, six, received a kidney from his grandad Dave when he was 18 months old.
Mum Rebecca, 37, from Nottingham, says: “It was so special having [Dale] there on that day. He really took Henry’s mind off it.” For Dale, also dad to Miley, eight months, with his partner Laura Ingram, 26, being able to cheer up these children simply by dressing up and showing them some kindness is a massive privilege.
He adds: “It’s been amazing to watch their progress and be able to share it with them. I guess I’m a bit like an arachnid version of Florence Nightingale!”