Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis agrees to complete marathon with Captain Tobias

Sheffield-born Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill says she will join Captain Tobias when he completes his second marathon using a race runner.
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Tobias Weller, aged 9, who has cerebral palsy, has already raised more than £100,000 by walking a marathon and is set to complete his second distance event on Saturday.

He was thrilled when gold medallist Ennis-Hill, who won heptathlon at the 2012 London Olympics, agreed to join him for the final stint.

Tobias and mum Ruth Garbutt.Tobias and mum Ruth Garbutt.
Tobias and mum Ruth Garbutt.
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His mum Ruth Garbutt said: “We're delighted that Jess has said she'll come along on Saturday and race with Tobias.

“He's absolutely thrilled and giddy beyond belief.”

Tobias said: “I'm chuffed to bits that Jess has said she'll race with me but ... I'm not going to give her a head start!”

His fundraising total stands at more than £133,000, which will be shared between Sheffield Children's Hospital and the Paces School, Tobias' special school in the city.

The young boy has been named Captain Tobias in reference to his inspiration, Captain Sir Tom Moore, who sent a message of congratulations when his fundraising passed the £100,000 mark.

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He has even become an inspiration to others, with another young boy with cerebral palsy climbing a mountain after hearing about Tobias.

The nine-year-old has received a message from the Prime Minister and has been nominated for a number of awards to recognise his achievements.

Tobias began his latest challenge - dubbed his ‘Tobiathlon’ - on June 14 using a three-wheeled race runner supplied by the charity CP Teens and has completed around 1.2km each day.

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His proud mother said Tobias had done better than they could have ever dreamed.

She said: “It might be because he can run and he couldn't run 40 days ago, and now he can simulate running using the race runner.

“It's life-changing, that. He can get speed up and feel the wind in his hair, and it's an incredible feeling for him.”

Ms Garbutt continued: “We're looking forward to Saturday, that's going to be really exciting.”

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ruth-garbutt-3