Every now and then, a Hollywood headline is just someone doing something decent. Case in point: Ryan Reynolds quietly dropped real money to help a Welsh teenager chase a dream trip to New York.
The donation
Reynolds — yes, the Deadpool & Wolverine, The Adam Project, and Free Guy guy — donated £10,000 (about $13,638) to 13-year-old Lexi Collins, who lives in Wales and is dealing with a rare, aggressive cancer. The contribution went in a few days ago, and the off-duty police team Wrexham Police FC flagged it on X. The fundraiser has now blown past its original target of £5,000 and sits at £13,670 (roughly $18,682).
- Reynolds donation: £10,000 ($13,638)
- Original goal: £5,000
- Raised so far: £13,670 (about $18,682)
Lexi, her fight, and the NYC dream
Lexi was diagnosed earlier this year and has already been through multiple open-heart surgeries. Next up is chemotherapy. Despite all of that, her wish is simple: get well enough to go to New York City. The fundraiser stresses that every bit helps, and if you cannot contribute, sharing the page still moves the needle.
On the GoFundMe page, Lexi's mom, Rebecca Collins, wrote a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has chipped in, saying they are hoping and crossing everything that Lexi will be well enough to make the trip. Lexi is already picking outfits, checking off must-see spots, and yes, they rewatched Home Alone again to keep the New York vibes going. The note is signed with love from Becky, Brad, and Lex (mum and stepdad).
"I am not letting cancer stop me going to New York!"
The Wrexham connection (and the non-connection)
Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham A.F.C. back in 2020, which turned into the hit doc series Welcome to Wrexham. That said, Lexi's campaign is actually being run by a different local team: Wrexham Police FC, a side made up of off-duty police officers who set up the GoFundMe. They posted a thank-you to @VancityReynolds on X and summed it up with the kind of wink only Reynolds invites: "Not all heroes wear capes, this one wears a red and black suit."
Why this lands
It is not a press stunt. It is a big, practical boost for a kid who wants to see the Big Apple after a brutal year. Simple, human, and it makes a real-world difference — which, if we are being honest, is the kind of superhero move that matters.