‘Captain’ completes his marathon
BEFORE HE started his fundraising challenge two months ago, nine-year-old Tobias Weller could only manage to walk 50 metres in one go.
Yesterday the boy, nicknamed Captain Tobias by supporters, completed a marathon using a walker on the streets outside his Sheffield home – and was showered with praise by neighbours and celebrities.
Tobias, who has cerebral palsy, was inspired by the fundraising exploits of Keighley-born veteran Tom Moore to attempt to walk 26.2 miles for charity.
Walking for more than 70 days, he earned a nickname similar to that of the former Army officer as he raised more than £54,000 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Paces School.
Tobias was described as “incredible” and “an inspiration” by celebrities and sports stars, who sent him messages of support before the final leg of his journey.
He finished the challenge yesterday to cheers from the whole street, who have turned out to support him throughout the challenge.
Police closed off the Sheffield road as neighbours hung bunting and balloons for the final 750m of his marathon fundraising effort.
Earlier, Olympic heptathlon champion Dame Jessica EnnisHill, pictured, professional footballer Esme Morgan and BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker sent Tobias video messages wishing him luck.
England international Ms Morgan described Tobias as an inspiration and thanked him for raising more than 80 times more than his original target of £500.
She said: “You’ve done an absolutely incredible job so far to walk as far as you have and I know you’ve been building up and building up each and every day, which is amazing.
“Honestly, what you have done is an inspiration to so many people.
“Everyone at the hospital is so grateful for everything you’ve done, it’s absolutely amazing.”
Dame Jessica said: “I have been following your story and I just want to say I think you are absolutely incredible. What a challenge you’ve taken on.”
Mr Walker described Tobias as an “absolute superstar” and added: “What an incredible young man you are. I hear you, like many others, have been inspired by Captain Tom and you’ve raised thousands of pounds for The Children’s Hospital Charity. Thank you for that.”
The money raised by Tobias, who also has autism, will help The Children’s Hospital Charity through its emergency Covid-19 appeal. Abbie Pervin, regional fundraising manager at The Children’s Hospital Charity, said:
“We’re very proud of Tobias’s fantastic achievement. Not only the amazing total raised for the hospital but also the personal determination it has taken him to walk a marathon.”
Money will also go to support Paces School, a non-maintained special school where the ethos is on children being challenged to reach their full potential.
Ruth Liu, headteacher at the school, said the money would be used to help build a new “stateof-the-art” facility.
She said: “It’s absolutely tremendous. We’re so proud of him.”
I just want to say I think you are absolutely incredible.
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill’s message for Tobias Weller.