Parents 'blown away' as £40k raised for disabled son

Louis is well known at Wrexham's home ground

Parents of a disabled boy have said they were "blown away" after surpassing their £40,000 target to adapt their home in just seven weeks.

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 want to fit a downstairs bedroom and wet room, as well as to raise the level in their Wrexham garden to make it easier for four-year-old Louis to get around in his wheelchair.

The appeal was boosted by a £10,000 donation from Wrexham AFC's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and £5,000 from actor Michael Sheen, which Aaron said really helped publicise Louis' cause.

But "phenomenal" fundraising by family, friends, businesses and even strangers really added up, he said, pushing the total to £45,000.

"We've been blown away, we are speechless by the kindness of people approaching us who have no connection to us.

"We are just overwhelmed by people wanting the best for Louis."

When they began their campaign, the family expected it would take up to two years to raise the money needed for the building work.

Now they hope to have the foundations for the extension laid in two weeks and have the work completed by Christmas.

Louis, along with his mum Charlotte, love cheering on his team

Aaron added that that Louis, who has been filmed for the upcoming series of the Disney show Welcome to Wrexham, was "loving" being the centre of attention.

The youngster now even gets recognised when he is out and about with his family.

"We went to the football the other day, the amount of people who stopped us and wished us well, it's amazing," said Aaron.

"Before this, some people saw the wheelchair and didn't know what to say - now they know Louis' story and they want to talk to us. It's breaking down barriers."