Superheroes make boy’s wish come true days before he dies

Real-life superheroes made a dying boy’s wish come true after his mum appealed for his favourite cartoons to visit him before he died.

Eight-year-old Freddy Leitch couldn’t contain his smile when a bunch of Disney characters knocked on his front door after he was too ill to travel to Disneyland Paris.

A video captures the superheroes dancing and performing handstands for him, giving him the ‘best day of his life’.

Freddy, from Gillingham in Kent, was born with rare genetic disease Chronic Granulomatous, meaning his white blood cells were unable to kill certain bacteria and fungi and making him prone to infections.

As his illness progressed, his family planned to create him as many memories as possible, but tragically, Freddy was told he was too sick to travel to Disneyland.

He was rushed to hospital on April 16, where he spent the next several days.

While he was there, he asked his mum Kirsty if they could travel to the theme park and stay in the Marvel hotel – prompting her to put out an online appeal for people dressed as the characters to come visit him.

The family were shocked when Spider-Man, Stitch, The Hulk, Supergirl and a Power Ranger all turned up.

Freddy Leitch had just days left to live when a galaxy of superheroes came to visit him (Picture: Kirsty Leitch/SWNS)

Kirsty said: ‘To all the people that came, we were so grateful. I never expected the appeal to go so mad. The people who turned up were fantastic.

‘They gave him the most joyous 20 minutes, half an hour of his life. Afterwards, he said to me, “Mum, that was the best day ever.”‘

The next day the young boy’s health deteriorated, but he wanted to go Smyths toy store.

Nurses from children’s hospice Demelza took him there to buy his last set of toys, some of which remain unopened.

The next day Freddy passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones, leaving behind sister Ivy-Rose, his step-dad, uncles, aunties and his nanny and grandad.

‘Demelza kept him at home towards the end of his life. Without them he wouldn’t have the passing that he wanted,’ Kirsty explained.

Freddy was able to meet Spider-Man (Picture: Kirsty Leitch / SWNS)

‘He would have passed in hospital and that was his worst fear. His last breath was peaceful and we couldn’t have asked for better people to be here with us.

‘We’re heartbroken, we’re devastated that he’s grown his wings, but grateful that he’s gone in peace.

‘He’s going to leave a massive Freddy-shaped hole in all our hearts. He’s left us with so many memories, that’s what he’s given us.’

Freddy was born with rare genetic disease Chronic Granulomatous (Picture: Kirsty Leitch / SWNS)

During the first few years of his life, Freddy coped well with the disease. But in 2018 a bone marrow transplant to boost immunity failed, leaving his body struggling to fight viruses.

In January 2022, the family were told an infection had gone too far, and he was hospitalised.

For a 24 to 48-hour period, doctors said his condition was life-threatening.

Although he eventually pulled through, he was too sick to make the Disneyland trip which had been booked during this time.

Mum Kirsty, 33, added: ‘We all remember his sass and his love for life. He never complained or moaned.

He was also taken to Smyths toy store (Picture: Kirsty Leitch / SWNS)

‘We got him a dog, Phoenix, named after the X-Men character. He adores her, she’s his best friend.

‘He also had a puppy, Shuri, named after the Black Panther character.

‘He was superhero mad, and football mad. He loved Chatham Town FC. He was going to every home game.

‘On the Saturday, the day before he took a turn for the worse, he went to their game, and they won.

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‘He had such determination. It’s something I’ve never seen before in my life.’

The team’s captain and two other players visited Freddy before he died to give him a Man of the Match trophy and a signed T-shirt.

Now the football club and Freddy’s family are holding a fundraiser to celebrate his life, with proceeds going towards Demelza and the CGD Society, supporting people affected by Chronic Granulomatous Disorder.

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‘They gave him the most joyous 20 minutes of his life.’