Ethan, 11, leads emotional 'Viking clap' atop the Wrekin as he faces rare disease
A boy living with a rare disorder led a group of burly men in an emotional Viking clap at the top of the Wrekin.
Ethan Lea, 11, from Wolverhampton, has a condition that affects about 50 children a year in the UK and scans revealed lesions in his spine, hips and legs.
But Langerhans' cell histiocytosis or not, Ethan wanted to climb to the top of The Wrekin, and when a Telford men's mental health group got to hear about it, they leapt into action.
"We stood Ethan on the top of the monument and he led a group of burly men in doing the Viking clap," said Ricky Briffa, who founded Primal Instincts with Lee Stevens and Chris Booth. Arranging the day was a real team effort, said Ricky.
The Viking clap was made famous by fans of the Iceland football team who clap together in unison, with the gaps between claps getting smaller and smaller.
About 100 people started the day at the Buckatree Hall Hotel, near the Wrekin, where they were provided with refreshments before and after their trek up the beauty spot.
Primal Instincts also release their emotions by letting out loud screams as a release of emotional tension. They usually do that at 6am in freezing cold water, but on Sunday they did it at the top of the Wrekin.
Ricky said: "It was just electric and Ethan's dad, Christian Lea, was very emotional to see Ethan at the top.
"Kids these days don't get to see the outdoors, so Ethan was like 'whoa!' when he led well over 100 people in this, and to get his Primal Instincts T-shirt.
"I told him he is a member of Primal Instincts and he is welcome in Telford any time he likes. We are with him."
Ricky revealed that the group, which has 3,700 followers, had raised over £1,000 for Ethan. They gave him a PlayStation 5 and £650 in cash.
"His dad Christian told us that all their money is spent on fuel to take Ethan to and from hospital.
"When it comes to kids, we will do anything for them. We are all dads and will do it for the kids."
Primal Instincts, which has a motto of We Bleed Together, We Heal Together, now meets at 6am every Saturday for their cold plunge and primal scream at Simpsons Pool.
Ricky, who got the nickname as the ‘River King’ because of videos of him underneath waterfalls, said that 6am was the ideal time because it sets you up to conquer the day.
“Primal Instincts is Telford’s safe space for men," Ricky has previously told the Shropshire Star.
The group meets for 15 minutes on a Saturday morning as a way to start their day before they go to work or head home.