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BOY WONDER

Boy, 9, with cerebral palsy dubbed Captain Tobias after Tom Moore completes marathon & raises £46k for charity

A BOY of nine with cerebral palsy completes a marathon, raising over £46,000 for charity.

Tobias Weller — nicknamed Captain Tobias after Capt Tom Moore — went the distance over 70 days on the street outside his Sheffield home using a frame.

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 Tobias Weller, 9, who was cystic fibrosis, completed a marathon over 70 days to raise £46k for charity
Tobias Weller, 9, who was cystic fibrosis, completed a marathon over 70 days to raise £46k for charityCredit: PA:Press Association
 Tobias was inspired to complete the marathon by Captain Tom Moore who walked 100 lengths of his garden to raise money for the NHS
Tobias was inspired to complete the marathon by Captain Tom Moore who walked 100 lengths of his garden to raise money for the NHSCredit: PA:Press Association

Tobias was described as "incredible" and "an inspiration" by celebrities and sports stars, who sent him messages of support ahead of the final leg of his journey.

Tobias finished the challenge on Sunday to cheers from the whole street, which has 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.

'CHUFFED TO BITS'

Tobias said he felt "magnificent" that he had finished the walk and "chuffed to bits" that he had raised so much money.

He said: "I can't believe I completed a marathon.

"It's just awesome.

"I love it when my neighbours clap and cheer for me and getting stronger and stronger every day is such a good feeling."

Tobias's mother, Ruth Garbutt, said they were going to continue walking and would now aim to reach 50km.

She said: "I'm so, so pleased that he's completed his marathon.

"He's done really well.

"He's tried so hard all the way through.

"He's really achieved a massive goal.

 Neighbours came out in their dozens for weeks to cheer on Tobias
Neighbours came out in their dozens for weeks to cheer on TobiasCredit: PA:Press Association
 The heroic boy crossed the finish line on Sunday outside his home in Sheffield
The heroic boy crossed the finish line on Sunday outside his home in SheffieldCredit: PA:Press Association

"I'm bursting with pride for my little boy. He's just magnificent."

Earlier, Olympic heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, professional footballer Esme Morgan and BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker sent Tobias video messages wishing him luck.

The money raised by Tobias, who also has autism, will help The Children's Hospital Charity through its emergency Covid-19 appeal and Paces School, a non-maintained special school where the ethos is on children being challenged to reach their full potential.

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 Banners and messages were written by neighbours in support of Tobias
Banners and messages were written by neighbours in support of TobiasCredit: PA:Press Association
 The £46,000 raised will go towards The Children's Hospital Charity and Paces School
The £46,000 raised will go towards The Children's Hospital Charity and Paces SchoolCredit: PA:Press Association

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Seven-year-old boy inspired by Captain Tom Moore runs marathon in 10 days


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