A WREXHAM AFC superfan had his wish granted to meet hero Ryan Reynolds following his cancer diagnosis. 

Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman met an extra special VIP, Tomas Evans at the Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine UK Sneak Peek Event during their last visit to the UK, when children’s charity Rays of Sunshine granted the young film fan's wish to meet them. 

Twenty-year-old Tomas, from Wrexham was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma at the age of 18. He was in the process of training to become an electrician when he first became unwell – but gruelling treatment required him to give this up.

Rachael Tudor, Tomas' mum said: “It was a real shock to all of us.

“He was right at the start of his new career, and then all of a sudden we were worrying about his life.”  

Tomas was introduced to Rays of Sunshine by his team at the Christie Hospital. The charity grants wishes to seriously ill children and young people in the UK. When told he could have a wish, it wasn’t long before he settled on something to do with his beloved Wrexham AFC. 

Rachael added: “Before getting ill, Tomas held a season ticket for Wrexham and would go to every game he could.

“Unfortunately, that was another thing which had to stop when he got sick.

“When we talked about a wish, Tomas was so excited by the idea of getting to meet Ryan in particular and chat about the team.

“He’s also a huge film buff and loves Marvel – so when Rays of Sunshine revealed the opportunity to meet Ryan and Hugh Jackman at the Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine UK Sneak Peek Event and Multimedia screening in London, he was over the moon.”  

Rachael Tudor, Tomas Evans, Ava Tudor and Chris Tudor. Rachael Tudor, Tomas Evans, Ava Tudor and Chris Tudor. (Image: Rays of Sunshine)

Tomas, Rachael and their family travelled from Wrexham to London for the event, where they were able to have a private meet and greet with the two stars of the film.  

After their meet and greet, Tomas and his family were able to watch exclusive footage of the film ahead of the release.  

Rachael said: “There was a point when Tomas and my daughter were chatting to Ryan and Hugh about football, when I just had to take a step back and wonder: is this really happening?!

“They were both incredibly generous with their time and made all of us – but especially Tomas – feel so special.

“We were sat among celebrities and other VIPs, and again we just felt like it was all a dream. Even now, I don’t think it has settled in for any of us that the wish happened. 

“After having such a tough time of things during what should have been such an exciting part of his youth, I’m so grateful to Rays of Sunshine and the Disney team for making him feel so special.

“Tomas has been so brave, and he absolutely deserved to feel like a VIP.” 

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Since undergoing treatment, Tomas has returned to his apprenticeship training and is doing well and is "excited for the future".  

Dan Assor, CEO at Rays of Sunshine said: “We’re so glad that Tomas’s wish had so many special moments, and that his family could experience this wish together. 

“Thank you to Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and everyone at Disney for their support to make this wish happen, creating precious memories for Tomas, Rachael and their family.”  

More information can be found on Ray of Sunshine's website.