Ryan Reynolds’ surprise to family after Wrexham fan, 15, dies

The family of a teenager whose ashes were scattered on Wrexham FC’s pitch have received a special tribute from club co-owner Ryan Reynolds.

Aiden Waller, 15, from Essex, died in February after a being diagnosed with osteosarcoma three years ago, a rare and aggressive bone cancer which spread to his lungs and brain.

A keen Wrexham fan, Aiden’s ashes were spread on the pitch earlier this year, but it needed to be replaced for the new season.

Wanting to protect Aiden’s memory, Reynolds arranged for some of the pitch where his ashes were spread to be preserved within a glass plaque, before presenting it to Aiden’s family in an “emotional” moment.

Reynolds presented the family with the special tribute at Wrexham’s match against West Brom last Saturday.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Aiden’s mother, Sarah Waller, described it as a “really emotional moment” which the family did not expect at all.

“They presented it to us in a lovely glass case with text on the top that says ‘Aiden Waller: Wrexham legend. Friend to Deadpool. Then. Now. Forever’.

“The wording he put on was absolutely beautiful,” said Sarah, adding that Aiden was a huge Marvel and Deadpool fan, and would have been “ecstatic” with the gift.

According to Sarah, Reynolds changed the wording on the plaque multiple times “to make it absolutely perfect”.

“He did say to us that it was special for him just to give it to us,” she added.

“It is beautiful. If we do the lighting correctly we’re able to create a rainbow out of it, which is something Ryan suggested.”

The family said they knew the pitch would be replaced when Aiden’s ashes were spread over it, but said it was something which Reynolds had asked if they wanted to do.

“He phoned me the day after the funeral and said can we spread the ashes on the pitch, he sneakily put a bit in the goal,” said Sarah.

“His plan was to preserve that piece of pitch for Aiden.”

“The way people thought of Aiden and the friends he had that he never knew, he didn’t know how special he truly was. There is no words for his character,” Sarah said.

She described Aiden as the “strongest, bravest, most inspiring kid I’ve ever met”.

“He battled with osteosarcoma for three years, fighting each piece of bad news time after time with humour and amazing spirit.”

Sarah said Reynolds posted a photo on his Instagram account of the family spreading Aiden’s ashes on the pitch in March, and again with another photo with the gift he gave to them last Saturday.

“It just goes to show how much appreciation Reynolds has for the fans that he’s willing to put this much effort in making sure we are heard,” said Sarah.

“Although we are from Essex it’s just something that will allow us to have a constant connection with Wrexham.”

Additional reporting by Dylan Greene.