Sheffield schoolboy who captured nation's hearts with marathon challenge raises more than £40, 000 for two charities

An inspirational Sheffield schoolboy who captured the nation’s hearts during the coronavirus lockdown has now raised more than £40,000 for two city charities.
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Tobias Weller, aged nine, who has cerebral palsy and autism, is in the process of completing a 26.2 mile marathon by walking 750 metres every day on the streets around his Beauchief house.

Inspired by Colonel Tom Moore who raised £32m for the NHS by walking in his Bedfordshire garden, Tobias has now walked for 69 days in a row and is due to complete his final lap on Sunday.

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Tobias initially set himself a target of raising £500 for Paces School and Sheffield Children’s Hospital, but his fundraising is going so well he had to raise his target to £30,000.

Tobias Weller, who has cerebral palsy, is cheered on by neighbours as he walks along the street outside his home in Beauchief, Sheffield, as he strives to complete a lockdown marathon for charity (Pic: Joe Giddens/PA)Tobias Weller, who has cerebral palsy, is cheered on by neighbours as he walks along the street outside his home in Beauchief, Sheffield, as he strives to complete a lockdown marathon for charity (Pic: Joe Giddens/PA)
Tobias Weller, who has cerebral palsy, is cheered on by neighbours as he walks along the street outside his home in Beauchief, Sheffield, as he strives to complete a lockdown marathon for charity (Pic: Joe Giddens/PA)

However, as of Thursday, May 28, the youngster - who has now been dubbed ‘Captain Tobias’ in honour of the inspirational WWII veteran - has raised more than £41,000.

Mum Ruth said she never imagined Tobias would raise such an ‘incredible’ amount.

“I want to say thank you to those who’ve donated, those who’ve turned up and cheered us on, and those who’ve given Tobias the strength to continue,” she said.

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“But most of all I want to say how proud I am of Tobias. He has always been my star and I have always known how special he is. Now, everyone else has seen that too.”

Captain Tobias with officers from South Yorkshire Police.Captain Tobias with officers from South Yorkshire Police.
Captain Tobias with officers from South Yorkshire Police.

Earlier this week, Tobias appeared on ITV show This Morning and saw his fundraising total rise by £10,000 in just 12 hours after he was interviewed by presenters Eamon Holmes and Ruth Langsford.

Spencer Pitfield, Chief Executive of Paces, said: “These past few weeks have been hard for so many people, but the fact that Tobias and his family have used the lockdown to do so much good for others is amazing.

“Every one of us at Paces is proud of him and what he has achieved. The money he has raised will make sure other young people have the opportunity to realise their potential – as Tobias has done, and then some, over the last 69 days.”

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