Mike Wilson remembers his son Jayden, who died after battling cancer

Mike Wilson touched hearts across the world when he pretended to be Spider-Man to surprise his son, Jayden on his fifth birthday.

When little Jayden lost his battle on Christmas morning and was cremated with his favourite Spider-Man action figure, Mike never thought he could find that same strength again.

But today the 30-year-old dad has reason to fight after celebrating the birth of newborn son, Kelan, and has made it his mission to transform into Spider-Dad without his little partner to help other children battling cancer across the county.

Testament to his positivity, the grieving dad has pledged he will get through the first-year anniversary of Jayden’s death by completing gruelling challenges for Naomi House Children’s Hospice near Winchester which supported the family.

Clutching the same Spider-Man lego figurine as Jayden’s, Mike, said: “I guess you don’t know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

Jayden and Mike

“When Jayden first knew he was going to be a big brother he named him Rainbow Dash, so Kelan is now our Little Dash. We show him pictures of his big brother, Jayden, every day and feel so happy knowing Jayden is watching him and keeping him safe.

“No way was he ever going to replace Jayden, but it feels like it’s a second chance.”

Mike and wife Lou’s life fell apart when their energetic little boy Jayden was diagnosed with a Grade 4 brain stem tumour in August 2013 by chance after he was taken to see doctors after hitting his head in a fall.

They were told he would survive just six to 12 months.

Mike, said: “Before this happened we were one happy family, then bang, literally in one moment everything changed.

“I never thought I would be able to deal with it.

But you do. You adapt. Survival kicks in. I had to be a survivor for Jayden to get through every day.

“I have always said life is for living.”

Refusing to allow Jayden to ever be sad, the heartbroken family pledged to cherish the time they had together and went about creating a bucket list of fun adventures to make sure his final months were full of happiness and smiles.

These included a helicopter ride, a trip to Disneyland, surfing and feeding dolphins as well as going to the park, playing with his train set and singing his favourite nursery rhyme at the top of his voice.

However, for superhero fans, Mike and Jayden, it was Spider-Man who gave them both strength and, simple pleasures as a father and son included snuggling up under Jayden’s red and blue spider blanket he took everywhere, which has now been turned into a teddy in his memory, playing with lego figures and watching the action films back to back.

Mike and Lou with baby Kelan

So Mike, who is a former gymnast for Great Britain and is today a renowned parkour and free runner, didn’t think twice about getting dressed up as the hero, jumping from the roof of their home and putting on his best American accent to lift Jayden’s spirits for the ultimate birthday surprise.

The video showing the youngster gazing in wonder at the hero went viral online with more than ten million views across the world.

Mike said: “We wanted to create awesome memories and I documented absolutely everything. If you don’t have hope, what is the point?”

Tragically though, just a month later Jayden got a chest infection and was rushed into hospital.

Mike refused to leave his side for two weeks.

He explained: “I wouldn’t leave him. The whole point of the Spider-Man suit was so that he could have access to his superhero at any time he wanted. I said to Lou ‘I must go home to sleep’I started suffering with anxiety because I hadn’t slept.”

Mike did return to the couple’s Basingstoke home, but rather than sleep, he did the only thing he could think to help ease his son’s pain – dressing into the costume and filming another clip.

He explained: “I got into the Spider-Man suit went up into his room with his toys, put a Christmas hat on and sent him a message telling him to get better and that everything was safe. I then said ‘right I have to fight some bad guys now’ and jumped out of shot.

“If only I did have the superpowers.

“Jayden never did see the clip. That was very hard for me.”

Determined the family, including pregnant Lou and seven-year-old daughter Ella, would all wake up together on Christmas morning, Jayden came home on Christmas Eve.

The family posted a selfie online overjoyed they could be together at home.

“A goal of ours for this year was to wake up on Christmas Day together just the four of us. So happy to be spending it together again,” Mike, said accompanied with a picture of Jayden, Ella and their parents in the family’s car.

However, they were able to make Jayden comfortable surrounded by his favourite action heroes, they were tragically unable to do what they had hoped.

“We all went to bed that evening and Jayden passed away warm in his bed,” Mike said.

“We believe he waited to be out of hospital to be with his family in the safest place he knew to die.”

It was at his funeral the little boy’s tight-knit family decided his death would not be in vain and getting inspiration from the Hope From Jayden Facebook page which has 46,000 followers lending support, Hope from Jayden was born.

Mike, said: “Jayden had such a happy life. What an incredible five years. Jayden to us, is the most inspiring person ever, fighting the tumour with all his might.

“We will never forget our little Christmas angel who fought for 18 months. It was his story of bravery that seemed to touch people’s hearts. His bravery is now going through us and somehow he has given us the strength to keep going and make him proud. We can’t wait to show Kelan the amazing things Jayden has done and show him and other sick children that you have to live life every day the best you can.”

Mike & Will's Internet Challenge

THEY are two Internet sensations.

Mike’s clips of surprising little Jayden with Spider-Man was watched around the world and his brother-in-law, Will Reid’s tongue-in-cheek teenage instructional guide to changing a toilet roll went viral.

Now, together the pair will join forces by using the power of the Internet to raise funds for their biggest fundraiser of the year – trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro in memory of Jayden.

Every time someone watches each of their YouTube channels, money will be directly donated to the mission.

Joined by Mike’s brothers, Andrew and David, the four men under the name, Brothers Journey, will set off for the summit on September 24 in a bid to raise £15,000.

Will, from Chandler’s Ford, said: “There is a lot riding on this. It is a big challenge and you don’t know what to expect so we really hope people get behind us.”

Mike said he hopes to get all the strength he needs from Jayden’s favourite Spider-Man cuddly toy he plans to take.

Mike, said: “It would be cool on December 24 this year to announce how much money we have raised. I just wanted to channel all these emotions into something positive.

“Naomi House did everything to support us. As soon as we were in there it was a massive relief. It gives you a break.

“To get to the top would mean everything, to accomplish something as brothers and to be closer to Jayden.”

To watch Mike's videos click here and for Will's click here 

To support the family raise funds for Naomi House Children’s Hospice text HFJA99 £(amount) to 70070 from any mobile phone or click here