MFR

Recently I feel I’ve been reading more frequently about everyday guys dressing up like superheroes, taking to city streets under the shadow of darkness in a quest to keep the public safe from harm.

Fair play! If you feel the need to wear your pants over lycra out with a fancy-dress party situation then this is the perfect excuse. Besides, I actually quite like the idea of Joe Bloggs standing up for society; it’s not something I would ever be brave enough to do…the closest I get to crime fighting is wearing my Batman pyjama bottoms!

However, this week I read all about mild mannered Roger: gardener by day, crime fighting crusader by night. The 19-year old has spent the past 10-months patrolling the streets of Manchester clad in an unforgiving ensemble (it cost him £200 online) sorting out anti-social behaviour around closing time.

“Go Roger!” I hear you cry. Yes, it’s brilliant he wants to make the world a better place (hurrah!) but I can’t help but worry about him. Despite his good intentions he doesn’t look like he’d be able to fight sleep let alone crime!

Roger’s mum says ‘his absolute genuineness is his best defence’ – a lovely quality but it’s not really gonna help the slender teen whilst breaking up a fight at 3am.

Now, most kids want to be superheroes at some stage - I wanted to be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle as a child but I’m pretty sure my parents would draw the line at me aged 26 painting myself green, donning a shell on my back and wandering the streets at night. Maybe it’s a fantasy best left in childhood.

Please don’t get me wrong, I whole-heartedly admire Roger’s efforts (like I said earlier, I couldn’t do it) but sadly he’s a bit more Del Boy and Rodney than Batman.

I mean, who’s looking out for him? Who’s got his back if things go wrong?

That said though, maybe we could all learn something from Roger; be brave and stand up for what you believe in, step outside your comfort zone, strive to make your local community a better place and if you want to wear lycra while you do it, knock yourself out! Just be sure to keep yourself safe – danger may provide a brief adrenaline rush but remember you are not a cat, you do not have 9 lives!!

Oh sweet Roger, I can’t bare the thought of you treading those mean streets alone – gimme two minutes ‘til I get my cape and Batman PJ’s!!

(PHOTO: Getting my superhero on! Christmas 2010 – cheers for trews Dad!)