Captain Tobias recognised for charity work with special award from police

Nine-year-old Sheffield fundraiser Captain Tobias has been given a special award from South Yorkshire Police in recognition of his charity work during the coronavirus lockdown.
By Lloyd Bent
Published 26th Jun 2020, 11:54 BST
Updated 26th Jun 2020, 11:55 BST
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Tobias Weller, who has cerebral palsy, completed his challenge of completing a marathon in his walking frame at the beginning of June. Yesterday (June 25) he was visited by the Chief Inspector Helen Lewis, who gave him a special award as well as some gifts.

He was given some karaoke CDs and was also invited to the police awards ceremony, which will take place later this year.

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The award came from Chief Superintendent Stuart Barton, who said: “We have all been following Tobias’s progress and story over the last few months and we have all been inspired by his incredible efforts.

“Our Sheffield South West Neighbourhood Team have been particularly heartened by Tobias and his challenge and have visited him on several occasions to show their support.

“We wanted to recognise his personal, physical success, fundraising achievements and how he has brought the community together. He has shown great spirit and determination in unprecedented times. We’re proud of him, and he should be so proud of himself.”

Paces School, which Tobias attends, congratulated him on his award.

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The school tweeted: “How fabulous of Captain Tobias to have received an award from the Chief Superintendent of South Yorkshire Police. So very well deserved.”

Tobias was visited at his home by South Yorkshire Police officers who presented the award.Tobias was visited at his home by South Yorkshire Police officers who presented the award.
Tobias was visited at his home by South Yorkshire Police officers who presented the award.

And Sheffield Children’s Hospital wrote: “Congratulations Captain Tobias! This is amazing and so well deserved we are all chuffed to bits for you!

“Thank you so much for everything you are doing!”

Tobias, who also has autism, raised more than £127,000 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Paces School in Sheffield as a result of what he called his “ginormous challenge”, which was inspired by Captain Tom and earned him his own ‘captain’ nickname from friends and neighbours who supported him.

Neighbours lined the streets to cheer him on from a safe distance as he completed his challenge in June 1.

Since he completed his marathon Tobias has been also congratulated by the Prime Minister and featured in television up and down the country.

Related topics:SheffieldSouth Yorkshire PoliceSheffield Children's Hospital