A five-year-old and his mother are getting set to take on Ashgate Hospice’s Superhero Night Walk in memory of a “superhero” grandad who died in the hospice’s care.

David Fewell was receiving care on the hospice’s “amazing” Inpatient Unit when his daughter Alexandra went into labour to give birth to grandson Cody in 2018.

Despite the staff’s best efforts in helping the family arrange for David to meet Cody for the first time, he died on 16th May, aged 69 – just a day after the birth.

Now, Cody and Alexandra, from Holmewood, have decided to fundraise for the hospice in his memory.

They are gearing up for the new three-mile Superhero Night Walk at Queen’s Park in Chesterfield on Saturday 14th October.

Alexandra said: “I remember going to visit Dad at Ashgate and him saying to me “I’m not going to make it to your due date, but I love you and Cody”.

“Once I’d delivered Cody one of my friends took a picture of him for my dad to see that he had arrived safe and well. He opened his eyes and smiled when he saw his grandson.

“The following morning the staff assessed me and Cody as quickly as possible knowing the situation and we were discharged. Sadly, just not in time.

“My mum called me to say my dad had died before we made it to the hospice.”

David, originally from Chelmsford but lived in Bolsover, was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in 2017 after a fall and defied the odds after being told he only had 24 hours to live.

After a couple of weeks in the hospital, he made it home for a short period but the disease soon spread rapidly to his spine, kidneys and brain.

It was in April 2018 when he was first admitted to the hospice – where Alexandra would visit him whilst pregnant with Cody.

Alexandra added: “I remember waddling down the corridors 36 weeks pregnant worried and frantic at what I might find. “But there was my dad, sat up in bed, with a smile on his face eating a rocket ice lolly! I hadn’t seen him smile in weeks.

“I often talk about Ashgate with Cody so that he understands what hospices are, and that they are very peaceful places.

“The hospice looked after our entire family, not just my dad. They were amazing and so accommodating with our whole family – the staff and volunteers were so lovely.”

Cody, who will be dressing up as his favourite superhero Captain America for the walk, is hoping he and his mum can raise £100 for the hospice; they have raised £65 together so far.

He said: “My mummy says grandad was her superhero. We want to help lots of other families like mine. My mummy says she will dress up as a superhero for extra money!”

Tickets cost just £5.50 per child and adults go FREE. The walk will start at 6:30 pm with doors opening from 4:30pm.

Every participating child will receive a fundraising pack, superhero cape and a glow in the dark mask to wear whilst taking part in the event.

The event has been sponsored by local businesses Technique Learning Solutions, Motan Colortronic and printing partners PDM.

Donate to Cody’s Superhero Night Walk fundraiser on their JustGiving page.

For more information on how you can take part, visit our Superhero Night Walk webpage.