Reynolds' surprise to family after Wrexham fan, 15, dies
Ryan Reynolds, a club co-owner, paid special tribute to a teenager whose ashes were scattered on Wrexham AFC's pitch. Aiden Waller, 15, from Essex, died in February after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma three years ago, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. Aiden's ashes were scattered on the field earlier this year, but it needed to be replaced for the new season. Reynolds arranged for some of the pitch where his ashes were left to be preserved within a glass plaque before handing it to Aiden's family in a emotional
moment.
At Wrexham's match against West Brom last Saturday, Reynolds paid tribute to the family. Aiden's mother, Sarah Waller, referred to it as a real emotional moment
that the family did not anticipate at at all when speaking toBBC Radio Wales Breakfast.
The wording he put on was absolutely stunning,They presented it to us in a swanky glass case with text on the top that reads 'Aiden Waller: Wrexham legend. Friend to Deadpool. Then. Now. Forever'.
ecstatic" with the gift.Sarah said, noting that Aiden was a huge Marvel and Deadpool fan and that he would have been
Reynolds changed the wording on the plaque several times to make it absolutely perfect,
Sarah says.
she explained.He did say to us that it was special for him just to give it to us,
The family knew the pitch would be replaced after Aiden's remains were dispersed over it, but said it was something Reynolds had to do if they wanted to do.It is beautiful. If we do the lighting properly, we should be able to make a rainbow out of it, as Ryan pointed out.
Sarah said. "His idea was to save Aiden's piece of pitch.He called me the day after the funeral and said, if we spread the ashes on the pitch, he sneakily put a bit in the goal,
His character has no words,The way people thought of Aiden and the others he had that he never knew was incorrect.
Sarah said. Aiden was described by her as themost courageous, brave, most inspiring kid I've ever encountered. "He battled osteosarcoma for three years, fighting each piece of bad news time after time with humor and a positive attitude.
Sarah said Reynolds posted a photo of the family spreading Aiden's ashes on the pitch in March and a second one with the gift he gave to them last Saturday.
Sarah said. "Offord we are from Essex, it's just something that will enable us to have a constant link with Wrexham.It just goes to show how much respect Reynolds has for the fans that he's willing to put in the extra effort to make sure we are understood,
