Sarah Waller, the mum of 15-year-old Wrexham FC fan Aiden, has shared a heartfelt message of thanks to Ryan Reynolds after his touching tribute to her late son. Aiden, who battled a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma, died earlier this year. Ryan, co-owner of Wrexham FC, had met Aiden before his passing and has since formed a special bond with the Waller family.
In a beautiful gesture, Ryan invited the family to scatter some of Aiden’s ashes on the pitch. The pitch had to be replaced for the new season, but Ryan found a way to make that spot eternal. He presented them with a glass-encased piece of turf where Aiden’s ashes were spread, engraving it with the words: “Aiden Waller. Wrexham Legend. Friend to Deadpool. Then. Now. Forever.”
Sarah shared how much this meant, revealing that Aiden would have been overjoyed by their friendship with Ryan. “It’s absolutely beautiful,” she said, mentioning that with the right lighting, a rainbow could be created through the glass—a suggestion made by Ryan himself. The actor’s heartfelt effort to make the wording perfect was not lost on the family. Ryan’s gesture touched their hearts and emphasised the incredible bond formed during Aiden’s life.
Sarah reflected on the kindness shown by Wrexham and its Hollywood owners during their visits, sharing that Aiden was even invited to sit next to Ryan during a game. The support from Ryan, co-owner Rob McElhenney, and their families meant the world to them. “We couldn’t fault any of them – they were all so down to earth,” she added. Aiden’s story and the compassion shown by the club’s owners continue to resonate, highlighting the power of human connection and kindness.