Medical student becomes real-life superhero for sick kids
Medical student George Mann, 20, is bringing joy to hospitalized children by dressing as Spider-Man and visiting pediatric wards. Inspired by his lifelong love for comics and a desire to work in pediatrics, Mann created the persona "Dr Spider-Man" to brighten the toughest periods of young patients' lives.
From comic fan to pediatric hero
Mann told 7NEWS.com.au he always had a "love and passion" for comics. "I've always loved Spider-Man since I was a kid," he said. "Because my last name is Mann, I saw characters like Spider-Man, Batman, Superman as if they were my cousins." The idea crystallized when he saw a movie-accurate Spider-Man mask for sale online. "I begged my sister to buy it for me for Christmas," Mann said, promising to use it to cheer up kids during university placement.
First visit cemented his mission
By the new year, Mann didn't wait for placement. He arranged a visit to Mackay Base Hospital's pediatrics department. That first visit cemented his passion. "(I ask) 'what do you want to be one day?' And then when a little kid looks you in the eyes and they say, 'I want to be Spider-Man one day' because of you, there's no feeling in the world that's greater," Mann said. "Every kid wanted to be a superhero growing up. I'm really living my childhood dream doing this. (You) don't need powers, all you need is a costume and a bit of ambition to do it."
Growing impact through social media and fundraising
Mann has returned multiple times throughout the year and launched social media accounts to expand the project. Initially paying for toys out of his own pocket, millions of social media views have allowed him to raise funds via GoFundMe for more gifts. He maintains a spreadsheet tracking all donations and expenditures to ensure transparency with donors.
