A GRIEVING husband is fundraising in memory of his wife who died of cancer by dressing up as a superhero.

Captain Durham is the alter ego of Steven Boyes, from Bowburn, County Durham, and first appeared this year as a way of continuing his wife’s legacy.

Steven’s “courageous” late wife Ginette, 52, defeated breast cancer twice but the couple were later rocked by the devastating news that the cancer had spread to her lung and spine in 2019.

Doctors estimated she had between six months and five years to live but she died 11 months later on September 15, 2020.

The 56-year-old has also had to come to terms with the recent death of his father and his mum’s liver cancer diagnosis.

“Ginette was the best wife anybody could find,” Steven said. “She was such an amazing woman, kind, caring, selfless and loyal.

"We got on great and a lot of people said we were like chalk and cheese but it was absolutely perfect.

“When she went into the hospital the last time with an infection I didn’t think she was going to get that call but I did."

Now, he’s taken to the streets of County Durham in his full outfit and American motorbike to raise money for Ginette’s Legacy - a charity he hopes to set up in her memory.

Steven said: "This is the start of her legacy because she made the world a better place by being in it and I want to continue the positive impact her life had on this world.

"When I first started doing it it wasn’t to raise money it was all about making people happy.

"If I can go out and put one smile on someone's face it uplifts me.

"The Cap has been a saving grace and has gave me focus at point when I was wondering what the point was anymore."

Passersby and motorists were increasingly drawn to his Captain America armour and he soon saw more people stopping him for selfies and asking about his fundraising.

He has funded £2,000 of his own money for a brand new suit and is now available for birthday parties and events.

It is due to this increased interest that he now hopes his Captain Durham character and fundraising will soon become a full time job.

Steven thanks Richard Gates, a former colleague of Ginette, and Steve and Tracey for his suit.

Donations can be made at: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/captain-durham