Clarke's Beach boy chooses a different kind of superhero costume: Terry Fox

In 1980, Terry Fox dipped his leg into the St. John's harbour andbegan his Marathon of Hope. Nownearly 40 years later, a young boy from Clarke's Beachplans to trick or treat and raise money dressed as Fox, who he says is his hero.

Ethan Smallwoodlearned about Terry Fox when his school was getting ready for this year's Terry Fox Run, and said he was inspired to do something of his own to help with cancer research.

"It was Terry Fox Day at my school and it just got me curious," said Ethan, 7.

He decidedto dress up as Terry Fox for Halloweenand to ask for donations for cancer research through the Terry Fox Foundation instead of candy as he goes door to door.

He told his mother about the idea when he got home from school, Ethan said, and she helped him make his costume, including drawing Fox's artificial leg on a pair of pants.

He's hoping to raise at least $1,000 through his trick-or-treating efforts. As of Friday afternoon, he had surpassed that goal online and raised $1,250.

A Canadian comic book

Ethan is a fan of superheroes he was wearing Iron Man pyjamas on Friday for another fundraiser, Pajamarama and says he hopes to dress up as comic book writer Stan Lee for Halloween next year.

He has already drawn comic books of his own, including one about Fox.

The boy considers Terry Fox's accomplishment of running from St. John's to Thunder Bay, Ont.,before his cancer returned and forced him to end the Marathon of Hope, as just as worthy as anything done by someone wearing a cape.

"He's like one of the only superheroes on the planet, Ithink."

He hopes to add to his fundraising total on Thursday night, and said that going without Halloween candy this year won't be too bad.

"Mom eats it all anyway."

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