Wrexham fans to applaud for Rupert

CLUB TO SHOW SOLIDARITY AS JUSTGIVING PAGE TOPS £100K

- By STEVE BAGNALL Daily Post Reporter

WREXHAM football fans are being urged to clap for a seriously ill baby during the club's home match against Millwall.

Supporters have been asked to applaud for 60 seconds in the seventh minute in tribute to seven-month old Rupert Smith, who is fighting for his life at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

He was diagnosed with one of the world’s rarest diseases - Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC) - which affects only one in a million children in the world.

The emotional tribute has been organised by the club and Rupert's family to show his parents they are not facing the terrifying battle alone.

Rupert is the son of medal-winning North Wales Police officer Sgt Dave Smith and his wife Siobhan who have launched a £1.5million appeal.

The tot is under round-the-clock care after suffering a life-threatening seizure while out shopping with his mum, which saw him being airlifted by helicopter from Tesco at Broughton Shopping Park.

For a time his devastated family feared they had lost him but doctors managed to bring him round. At present, he can only move his eyes with just the occasional movement of his arms and legs.

As friends, neighbours and the wider community rally around the family, Wrexham AFC is hoping to give the fundraising appeal a big boost with the poignant tribute during Millwall match at the SToK Cae Ras next Saturday, February 7.

The seventh minute has been chosen because Rupert is seven months old. As well as showing solidarity with his family, the aim is to raise awareness of Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood and send a powerful message that Rupert is not fighting this battle alone.

It is not the first time the family has faced a major fight. Aged just 40, Rupert's dad Dave is currently in remission after previously battling testicular cancer and undergoing intensive chemotherapy.