But the enemy they are fighting is not an imaginary bad-guy – the boys have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a life-threatening, muscle destroying disorder that affects one in every 625 people in Australia.

And their younger brother Hudson has also been diagnosed with the disease.

To show support for the brothers, and to raise funds to help find a cure for muscular dystrophy, their school mates and teachers at St Francis Xavier Primary School dressed up for Muscular Dystrophy Australia’s Superhero Week.

“The main thing is the notion of Superhero Day. At our school it is to help children understand that those with MD are superheroes every day as they face their challenges,” said deputy principal Peter Mullane.

“It’s about us acknowledging they face battles just as superheroes do.”

The school’s 378 students, and staff, all dressed up as their favourite superheroes at an event recently which raised $476 for Muscular Dystrophy Australia.

”It’s about Max and Will receiving the positive message that MD doesn’t stop them from reaching or realising their full potential. They are superheroes,” Mr Mullane said.

It also helped pupils and staff understand some of the challenges the boys face and encourage acceptance and understanding of others.

​Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder usually diagnosed in early childhood. It mainly affects boys, causing muscle degeneration and weakness and leaving them wheelchair bound from eight to 12 years of age. There is no cure and MD often takes their lives by their late teens.

“We are thrilled to have Ballarat residents and St Francis Xavier Primary School hosting their own National Superhero Week events. It is a chance for school kids and adults to be that superhero they have always dreamed about, while also raising funds for our programs and research, making a difference and changing attitudes,” said Muscular Dystrophy Australia executive director Boris Struk.