Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds has paid tribute to a young Wrexham superfan who finally gave in to cancer aged just 15 after four gruelling battles with the disease.
In the years prior to the schoolboy’s death, Reynolds invited Aiden Waller to join him at a match after learning the youngster’s bucket list wish was to meet his acting hero.
Aiden travelled with his family from Essex to watch the Wrexham game against Maidstone United in August 2022.
He met Reynolds and club co-chairman Rob McElhenney and was introduced to the players.
Aiden was first diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a very aggressive and rare bone cancer most commonly found in children, in February 2022.
Aiden’s mother Sarah Waller announced his death on X on Wednesday and thanked Reynolds for the kindness he had shown her son.
She wrote: ‘Aiden sadly passed away this morning peacefully. No pain and holding our hands. He fought a hard three-year battle with a strength we could only wish to have.
‘Forever smiling. @VancityReynolds thank you for making a dream come true.’
The post has received more than 64,000 likes and has already been viewed 2.7million times.
Reynolds, who has 21.5 million followers, took the time to personally respond to Sarah.
He wrote: ‘I’m sorry, Sarah. He was pure goodness. No parent should go through this. His visits were as much for you as they were for him.
‘He had a sense of wellbeing and a sense of calm because you gave him YOURS. That sacrifice is unimaginable. You’re welcome at our club and town forever.’
Actor and Wrexham co-chairman Rob McElhenney also shared his condolences on X.
He said: ‘Sarah, Aiden’s strength was matched only by yours and the strength of your entire family.
‘I am honoured to have met you all. Especially your sweet boy Aiden. Thank you for that privilege and for shepherding a source of light in the world as long as he was with us.’
Speaking at the time of the Wrexham visit, Sarah said: ‘We were welcomed like family, it was just little simple acts of kindness that they didn’t have to do, it made me want to cry.
‘Ryan invited Aiden down to the front row of seats to sit next to him for the game, it was just little things like that, that make the difference.
‘He, Rob and Rob’s family were all amazing, we couldn’t fault any of them, they were all so down to earth.’