Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have made a generous donation to Royal Bolton Hospital in honour of a Wrexham player’s “miracle” baby boy.
Wrexham AFC midfielder, James Jones, and his partner, Chloe, are currently in the process of raising thousands of pounds for Royal Bolton Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), alongside a number of other charitable organisations, in a bid to say a worthy thank you to the neonatal nurses who provided life-saving care for their little boy, Jude.
James and Chloe set up the GoFundMe page after Jude was born 15 weeks prematurely back in November 2022, and went on to spend 122 days in hospital.
Jude was born at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, and weighed just 1lb 4oz when he came into the world.
Shortly after the birth, Chloe experienced pre-eclampsia – which is a condition causing high blood pressure – as well as the life-threatening pregnancy condition known as Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets (HELLP) syndrome, which led to her having two seizures and multiple organ failure.
Jude was born weighing just 1lb 4oz, but he is now “absolutely thriving” / Credit: Bolton NHS | James & Chloe Jones (via Instagram)
Following this series of complications, Jude was so poorly that he needed a transfer to Bolton‘s NICU within just hours of being born.
After spending countless days “praying” their little boy would survive, and on several occasions even believing that he wouldn’t, one-year-old Jude is now beating all the odds, smashing every milestone, and said to be “absolutely thriving”.
Chloe and James have continuously thanked all of the doctors, nurses, and midwives for the care the family received throughout Jude’s journey, but as the couple felt that words couldn’t really do their gratitude justice, they decided to set up a dedicated fundraiser to raise money for the intensive care units at both Wrexham Maelor and Royal Bolton Hospital (adult and neonatal), as well as neonatal family support charity, Spoons.
With a target of £20,000 set, donations to the fundraiser have been flooding in from far and wide since it was set up.
But no donation has been more generous than that from Wrexham AFC’s famous co-owners, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who have pledged a whopping £10,000 to the very-worthy causes.
“We cannot thank the nurses, doctors and consultants enough for saving me and Jude,” Chloe commented as the fundraiser passed the £10,000 mark.
“The work they do day in, day out is amazing. There really are no words for how much it means to us.
“Jude is our whole world. He is beating all odds and is absolutely thriving. He is smashing every milestone and is the happiest little boy. Jude has chronic lung disease and an adrenal insufficiency as a result of his extreme prematurity and needing courses of steroids whilst in hospital [but] despite his difficult start, he is dealing with everything incredibly well.
Wrexham AFC co-owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have donated £10,000 to the family’s GoFundMe / Credit: Chloe Jones (via Instagram) | Patrick McElhenney / FX
“We are so proud of him for being so strong and brave through absolutely everything he’s had to endure.
“It’s an honour to be his parents, and we love every second of it.”
Speaking on the success of the fundraiser – which has now clocked-up more than £17,000 and counting – Cath Bainbridge, who is the Matron for Neonatal Services at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The family overcame so much during their stay with us at Royal Bolton Hospital and it’s wonderful to learn that Jude is doing so well.
“We’re really touched that Chloe and James have chosen to raise money for our unit, and their funds will go such a long way in helping so many families in Bolton and beyond.”
Oldham Athletic sign manager Micky Mellon’s son, Michael, on loan for the season
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC have signed boss Micky Mellon’s son, Michael Mellon, on loan just in time for deadline day.
The legendary Scottish manager has been with Oldham since October 2023 (the first Greater Manchester club on his impressive pyramid-spanning CV), and helped them return to the football league after 34 years.
He’s already a bit of an EFL legend, boasting a staggering nine promotions with seven different teams, so there are few decisions he could make that would displease most supporters, even if there may or may not be a slight whiff of nepotism in the eyes of some.
Once again, the majority couldn’t care less, especially in a sport where the romantics amongst us imagine even the slightest hint of talent dripping down the bloodline; either way, fan favourite Micky’s son, Michael, has joined the Latics on loan for 2025/26.
Officially announced on Monday, 1 September, with just hours left of deadline day, 21-year-old Michael Mellon joins Oldham Athletic on a temporary deal as the Greater Manchester side looks to inject more goals into their recently promoted squad.
Confirmed as the 14th signing so far this summer – many of those coming in the form of free agents picked up on their way out of the National League – the young centre-forward began his career as part of the Manchester United academy.
Going on to join Burnley at 16, Mellon has gone on to be considered one of the brightest prospects among the Clarets’ academy, and will be hoping to get more even minutes this term.
They also teased his signing in one of the most silly but satisfying transfer reveal videos we’ve seen during this transfer window.
Mellon Jr has enjoyed loan spells at Morecambe, Dundee United, fellow local outfit Stockport County and Bradford City since joining his parent club back in 2019 – having spent the most time with the Shrimps, where he scored his first professional hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Wimbledon in 23/24.
Scoring 15 times in 27 appearances for them, he was recalled by Burnley back in January 2024, but is now set to be given the nod in his father’s senior team. Commenting on Oldham signing his son, Micky Mellon’s reponse was this: “We believe we’ve brought in a striker who is different to the ones we’ve got.
“Michael has always been a goalscorer – yes, he’s my son, but we’ve brought him in to help us win games of football and that’s the sole reason. He’s physical, technically very good and has the ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
“He’s had a bit of a tough time with injury lately, but he looks like he’s grown through that, and we can get the best version of Michael. He had a lot of interest, but he believes Oldham [Athletic] is the best place for him to play his football this season.
“He’s seen what Boundary Park is like when it’s full and roaring, the decision has been his to make, and he’s picked Oldham.” Excited by this one, Owls?
🗣️ Michael always knew where he wanted to play his football this season. #oafc
Featured Images — Oldham Athletic via X/TNT Sports Football (screenshot via YouTube)
Trending
Éderson to leave after the Etihad after eight years ahead of Donnarumma joining Manchester City
Danny Jones
It looks like Éderson Moraes’ time at Manchester City has finally come to an end, as the long-serving goalkeeper is set to leave the Etihad Stadium after eight years, with heavily rumoured new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma joining in his place.
In what has turned out to be a late twist in the transfer window, Brazilian shot-stopper Éderson has reportedly agreed personal terms with Fenerbahçe SK following the two clubs striking a late and permanent deal.
Simultaneously, following plenty of speculation over his next destination this summer – having been courted by both Premier League clubs in Manchester, as well as serial spenders Chelsea – ‘Gigi’ Donnarumma is preparing to don the sky blue of Man City.
It also still begs the question of who is going to be the number one under Pep Guardiola…
32-year-old Éderson was strongly expected to leave before deadline day, though it was reported he was most likely bound for fellow Turkish giants and current Süper Lig champions, Galatasaray.
However, an agreement was never reached, and now their rivals have got their hands on his gloves and his signature for around £12 million.
The ex-Benfica keeper had also been linked with a possible return to Portugal, as well as attracting interest from multiple Saudi clubs over the last 12 months or so, as his place in Pep‘s first-choice XI has become increasingly less secure.
Conversely, he is expected to drop straight into Fenerbahçe’s starting lineup and is set to sign a three-year deal worth around €8 million a year before add-ons.
Meanwhile, Man City are set to pay Paris Saint-Germain approximately £43.2m for Donnrumma, who is set to undergo his medical in Manchester on Monday afternoon (1 September).
🚨 Paris Saint-Germain maintain expectation Gianluigi Donnarumma will join Manchester City on #DeadlineDay. #MCFC want #PSG goalkeeper & Ederson will only be allowed to seal proposed €14m #Fenerbahce move if 26yo Italy international arrives @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/X7RsLnSeSA
Still aged just 26 after breaking into the senior AC Milan squad when he was just 16, the PSG keeper and Italian number one has already won plenty in his career, including Euro 2020 and the Champions League last season.
With Éderson leaving City as a serial winner, the club would be hard-pressed to pick up another keeper of his calibre, with such experience and with time still on his side.
The full details of his contract are yet to be disclosed, but you can expect him to earn a healthy sum upon arriving in East Manchester.
All that being said, it remains to be seen what this means for recently re-signed James Trafford, who rejoined his former youth club ahead of the 25/26 campaign from Burnley. He might have the right shirt, but will Donnarumma’s arrival see him become the back-up?
Forget Éderson vs Ortega: who is going to lay the claim between the posts for City next, Donnarumma or Trafford?
Emily Sergeant -
4th June 2024 
