Burnley's department store worker transforms into Marvel superhero to conquer his charity fundraising mission

By day he is a retail assistant in the menswear section at Burnley's Marks and Spencer store.
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But away from the shopfloor Jack Walsh transforms himself intohis favourite Marvel superhero, Deadpool, as part of his mission to raise awareness and funds for a charity that is very close to his heart.

And, in his latest challenge as his alter ego, Jack climbed Pendle Hill!

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He said: "I came up with the idea to climb Pendle as Deadpool is probably one of the last people you would expect to see up there!"

Champion fundraiser Jack Walsh prepares to be transformed into Marvel superhero Deadpool. (pic by Naz Alam)Champion fundraiser Jack Walsh prepares to be transformed into Marvel superhero Deadpool. (pic by Naz Alam)
Champion fundraiser Jack Walsh prepares to be transformed into Marvel superhero Deadpool. (pic by Naz Alam)

Windswept and rainy on the day Jack chose to do the walk, he admitted that visibility was limited at times and he suffered a couple of falls and slips. But none of that mattered to Jack who is championing the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

He said: "The people who I saw were very supportive and the father of one lady I spoke to actually has Motor Neurone disease. She and her husband later donated £35 to me."

Jack's mission began two years ago when a good friend was diagnosed with the devastating condition that eventually claimed her life.

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Jack explained: "She was a wonderful lady, a real salt of the earth person and someone who had helped me a lot.

Jack, aka Deadpool at the top of Pendle HillJack, aka Deadpool at the top of Pendle Hill
Jack, aka Deadpool at the top of Pendle Hill

"I must admit I had not heard of Motor Neurone disease and I didn't know anything about it but seeing my friend suffer made me determined to raise awareness of it and also cash to find a cure.

"I want to do anything I can to help."

Known as MND Association, the charity was established in 1979 by a group of volunteers to coordinate care, support and research for people affected by the condition which is a progressive disease that sees the muscles and nerves gradually stop working. Jack was delighted when Marks and Spencer gave its support to the association as one of its chosen charities.

Jack's Pendle challenge has raised £250 on top of the £1,211 he has already raised for the association. Donations can still be made by clicking HEREHe has previously taken part in two 25 mile walks organised by the association which raised over £12,000.

Jack when he held a tombola at Burnley's Marks and Spencer store, where he works on menswear, to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.Jack when he held a tombola at Burnley's Marks and Spencer store, where he works on menswear, to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.
Jack when he held a tombola at Burnley's Marks and Spencer store, where he works on menswear, to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.
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He said: "To be part of the team that did that is an unbelievable achievement and it is fantastic to think the money will bring us one step closer to a cure and funding equipment vital to combat the disease."

Jack, who also works as a photographer, has even launched his own facebook page called To Be A Hero for people to follow his adventures.

Earlier this year he held a tombola at his works to raise £163 for the British Heart Foundation and other charities he has supported in his Deadpool guise include Pendleside and East Lancashire hospices, Macmillan Cancer Care, Breast Cancer Care, the firefighters charity and Thera North which supports people with learning difficulties.