Hollywood movie star Ryan Reynolds has taken some time out of his busy schedule to make the day of a young football fan from the North East who has been tragically diagnosed with Pre-Leukaemia.

In September this year, six-year-old Blyth Spartans supporter Leland received the devastating diagnosis and is currently in urgent need of a Bone marrow transplant, which his family are unable to provide due to not being a match.

They have launched a desperate search for a donor and have been raising awareness of the search on social media via the Facebook page, Leland's Fight.

Read more: Mountain rescue called to Captain Cook's Monument, Great Ayton

Despite never thinking that their message would be sent global, their story has been shared worldwide following a moving video message from actor Ryan Reynolds.

On Saturday (October 15), Blyth Spartans took on Wrexham FC, which recently shot to fame after the club was bought by Reynolds and fellow American actor Rob McElhenney, which explains the timing of the video clip.

Addressing the young Blyth Spartans fan, Reynolds said on the video: "Hi Leland, it's Ryan Reynolds here.

Watch the touching moment below: 

"I'm shooting a movie right now and I'm in New York and I heard a little bit about you and your story, and I know that you've been going through hell, and I just wanted to send you a little video and let you know that I'm thinking about you.

"I understand that you're six, my daughter's six as well, and I know that you love football. That's one thing that you and I have in common in a big way, I also love football, although I would venture a bet that you know more about football than I do because I'm kind of new to it. But I'm really excited for the match tomorrow.

"I hope I get to see you out there on the field. But more importantly, I hope I get to meet you in person one of these days. I'm sending you all my love, not just from me but the whole football community and my own family.

The message, along with Leland's touching video response was sheared on Twitter by Blyth Spartans midfielder, JJ O'Donnell, who walked with Leland on the pitch during yesterday’s Blyth Spartans FA Cup clash against Wrexham FC.

Leland replied with his own video message from his bed. He said: "Thanks JJ and Ryan Reynolds, I appreciate that video. Thanks for caring about me. Love you, bye."

And there we have it – Ryan Reynolds made a sweet gesture towards a football fan and made his day – how perfect!

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here