A boy's dream of becoming a superhero is about to come true thanks to a charity's efforts to enrich the lives of sick children.

Nathan Allen's declared mission to save the world in the role of Spiderman will be helped along at the special-effects Marvel Superhero Island at the Universal film studios in Florida. He is being sent there together with his family by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The seven-year-old, from Willard Grove, Stanhope, County Durham, has a tumour on his brain, so doctors at Newcastle General Hospital will decide when he can make the trip.

He has recovered well from three difficult operations and is waiting for a scan to determine what the follow-up treatment will be.

Nathan will fly to Florida with his brother, Morgan, aged three, and parents David Allen, 33, and Charlie Hepple, 28.

It will be the family's first foreign holiday and only the second time they have ever been away together.

The first was a few weeks ago when they stayed at Malcolm Sargent House, a special centre in Ayrshire for children and their families.

Thankfully, Nathan can remember a little of his life before his tumour was diagnosed in April and he was rushed through to Newcastle for surgery.

Although the tumour is benign, it is still growing in the centre of his brain encircling his optic nerve, pituitary gland and hypothalmus, affecting different hormonal functions including growth.

Ms Hepple said: "It was almost a relief to find out what was wrong.

"They drained away fluid and took away as much of the tumour as they could. Since then, he has been a different boy. I have told him he is my superhero."

Margaret Parker, landlady of the Bonny Moor Hen pub, in Stanhope, has raised £100 towards the trip.

Ms Hepple is working with her to raise money for Malcolm Sargent House and needs to set up a committee to help with the campaign. Anyone able to help can contact her on (01388) 528263.