The amazing charity Spider-Man completes 1,000 mile walk for hospitals
A father and son from Rochford have raised £1,500 for their local hospitals by walking 1,000 miles dressed as iconic superheroes.
Billy Mansell, who has mostly been dressed as Spider-Man throughout his walk, has completed the challenge alongside and his four-year-old son and sidekick, Noah.
The pair started the Marvel-ous idea at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic to show their appreciation to NHS staff by completing the #NHS1000Miles challenge for Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity.
Billy said: “Every time Noah and I left the house in our superhero costumes, we saw the difference it made to people. They smiled and wished us well on our journey, which motivated us to continue and reach our 1,000 mile target.”
That target was reached as they walked to the duck pond in Rochford, with Billy dressed as Spidey and Noah as Buzz Lightyear; the very same costumes they had started their journey with.
Billy said: “Completing it has given us both a real sense of achievement, fundraising and spreading joy during such a difficult time. It has also created some wonderful memories for us as a family.”
The idea behind the #NHS1000miles challenge is to take personal responsibility for our own physical and mental health, helping reducing reliance on the NHS, and easing pressures.
Billy explained how he was inspired by the late Captain Sir Tom Moore. “Captain Sir Tom Moore definitely paved the way for me and many others to start finding a different way to be active, and also thank the NHS for its efforts. His legacy will have a lasting positive impact on us as individuals as well; every step has been in his honour.”
And Billy now works for the NHS as a healthcare assistant at Southend Hospital, a role he been doing for seven months. Ten percent of his fundraising will be going to the discharge unit he works on, with the rest of the money going to the Covid fund.
Clair Grayson, fundraising manager for Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity, said: “Huge congratulations to Billy and Noah for completing their epic fundraising challenge. The money raised by them walking miles will bring lots of smiles to staff and patients; the support of them and countless others like them has been astounding.”
Billy and Noah are now looking to their next adventure, and in true superhero style they are already planning a bigger sequel.