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Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney donate £20k for life-extending treatment for young fan

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have handed over £20,000 for life-extending treatment for a four-year-old football fan.

Little Aria Hodgkiss is battling an aggressive brain tumour but the complex surgery is not available on the NHS.

The little girl, who was diagnosed on her birthday last year, follows Wrexham - the National League club the superstar pair co-own.

Her family have been trying to raise £60,000 so she can have a chance of survival. So Ryan and fellow actor Rob, both 45, each pledged £10,000 to help the fundraising on its way.

Thanks to the pair and other kind-hearted people, the family have already smashed the target.

Hollywood stars Ryan Reynold and Rob McElhenney continue to put the people of Wrexham first (Getty Images)

Mum Mel, 41, said: "We just want to say a huge thank you to both of them. This is life-changing for us as we can get Aria's medication without having to worry."

The life expectancy of the rare DIPG tumour is nine months to a year and the only NHS treatment available is radiotherapy.

In the latest update to Aria's page earlier this week, it was explained that she has finished her radiotherapy but is sadly unable to use the left side of her body.

It reads: "It's been about 6 weeks since Aria finished her radiotherapy. Unfortunately she still isn't able to use the left side of her body.

They are already in love with the Welsh town - and have both made a huge donation (Getty)

"We can only hope that this may come back. On the plus side her steroids dose has been reduced to 1mls which is amazing."

It's not the only large donation Rob has made to a Dragons fan.

He handed over £6,000 to a disabled Wrexham fan's cause back in 2020 before his takeover of the club was even complete.

The Hollywood pair also donated £10,000 to the Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society after the baby of Wrexham midfielder Jordan Davies and partner Kelsey Edwards was born sleeping.

Speaking to This Morning presenter, Alison Hammond, Ryan revealed why he purchased the fifth tier club - a decision which shocked football.

"It seemed like an interesting proposition," he said.

"We were looking at a bunch of different teams and the thing for me that really struck a chord about Wrexham was how intrinsically tied communities are to their football club.

"It’s a more all encompassing project with Wrexham - their supporters, their community, and taking them back into the Football League. That is our goal and our hope. We are super excited."

Despite their sizeable investment, the club missed out on promotion last season.

They have started the new season well, taking four points from their two games but were held to a draw by Yeovil Town on Saturday.

Ryan, who has net worth is around £115 million, says he wants to take the Welsh club to the Premier League.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033.

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