Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney make brilliant donation to Oldham owner

01 December 2023 , 09:00

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Oldham Athletic owner Frank Rothwell has Hollywood suppoer

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have given a generous donation of $2,000 (£1,600) to Oldham chairman Frank Rothwell in support of his upcoming Atlantic challenge.

Rothwell, aged 73, is preparing to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, from the Canary Islands to Antigua next month. He aims to break his own record as the oldest man to complete this tough journey.

He previously completed the 'World's Toughest Row' at the age of 70. Now, he's doing it again, at 72, to raise funds for Alzheimer's Research UK.

Reynolds and McElhenney have contributed to Rothwell's cause. At the time of writing, the total amount raised has reached £62,303. The donation on Just Giving came with a message: "Go get 'em Frank."

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Reynolds also wished Rothwell a safe journey on social media. Despite not having met Rothwell before, their teams have played against each other three times in the league and FA Cup last season.

Before their FA Cup first-round meeting at The Racecourse Ground in January, Rothwell admitted to ITV that he didn't know who the famous duo were. On the eve of the match, the Wrexham owners responded with a video charting Rothwell's life.

In a video message on Twitter, they said: "Born in England in 1950, he grew up to be a 72-year man with a hat and glasses. He founded Manchester Cabins in 1979, he's also the oldest man to row across the Atlantic Ocean. He's got a nice smile. Very nice. Gentle. And he likes to shake hands, looks firm."

Wrexham owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have donated to Rothwell (Getty)

They then confused Rothwell with an Irish Olympic weightlifter of the same name before concluding, saying: "Either way, we know you Frank and you'll know us tomorrow."

Reynolds and McElhenney's Wrexham team have made a strong start to their first season back in the EFL - currently sitting in second place in League Two behind Stockport County. Wrexham were promoted after an incredible season in National League, alongside Notts County, who are also in the top 10.

The Deadpool actor and Hollywood friend Rob McElhenney took over the club in February 2021 - but admittedly did not know too much about the sport they were investing into. The pair have been quite open about their lack of knowledge, as evidenced in the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham' - with striker Paul Mullin revealing that Reynolds had wondered if a player had to leave the pitch after a yellow card.

Charlie Wilson