The parents of a disabled four-year-old have had a “lovely” start to the week after receiving a £5,000 donation from actor Michael Sheen to adapt their home.
Aaron and Charlotte Perrin’s son Louis was born with a rare genetic variant of the TUBA1A gene, which causes him to have painful leg spasms, limited mobility, epilepsy and cerebral palsy.
They are in the process of adapting their home in Wrexham to cater for Louis’ needs, and have set up a JustGiving page to raise the £40,000 required to do so.
Wrexham Police FC – which is made up of members of North Wales Police who play off-duty – will play in a charity football match against North Wales Dragons on March 23, and has set up a separate JustGiving page, which is linked to the family’s main page.
On Sunday, the team’s page received a £5,000 donation from Welsh actor Sheen, who starred in the Twilight movie franchise and TV shows Good Omens and Staged.
Mrs Perrin, 32, who works in the emergency services, told the PA news agency: “How generous of Michael Sheen to do that. What a lovely way to start the week.
“We are so close to Louis’ target now, and plan on getting the work for his extension started by April.
“We never in a million years thought it would happen this quick.”
She also praised the “sheer determination” from the couple’s friends, family and colleagues, as well as those who have donated.
I've #justsponsored Wrexham Police FC, who's fundraising for Just4Children on @JustGiving. Donate now https://t.co/yyhuo6Qa8i
— michael sheen 💙 (@michaelsheen) February 25, 2024
Sheen posted about the fundraiser on his X account: “I’ve #justsponsored Wrexham Police FC, who’s fundraising for Just4children on @JustGiving. Donate now.”
Mr Perrin, 32, who is a headteacher, left a comment under the actor’s post, which read: Diolch yn fawr @michaelsheen. Lots of love, Louis and his family X”, to which he replied: “Lots of love to you Louis and your family and very best wishes with this fundraiser. Xxx”
The comment Sheen left alongside the donation read: “Very best wishes to the whole family.”
Sgt Dave Smith, 37, who is part of Wrexham Police FC, told PA: “We’d like to thank Michael Sheen for his incredibly generous donation.
“His support will help make a real difference for Louis and his family, we’re truly grateful.”
The family also received a donation to their main fundraising page from Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – the celebrity owners of Wrexham AFC – earlier in the month.
Mr Perrin told PA at the time: “We were totally blown away by their generosity really; we were just in shock.”
The £40,000 is to be used to fit a downstairs bedroom with an attached wet room and raise the level in the garden to make it easier for Louis to move from the home to the garden, among other things.
The family fundraising page can be accessed here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/help4louis
Wrexham Police FC’s fundraising page can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/wrexham-police-fc-help4louis
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