Sheffield's 'Captain Tobias', 13, eyes new fundraising challenge

An inspirational teenager who was the youngest person to be awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) has set his sights on a new challenge.

Tobias Weller's fundraising challenges have raised thousands of pounds for his school in Sheffield.

The 13-year-old, who has cerebral palsy and autism, was inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore during the Covid pandemic.

Tobias plans to take on a 10K challenge in his wheelchair on Sunday to raise money for a new school hall.

The teenager, nicknamed "Captain Tobias" after Keighley-born Captain Sir Tom, was awarded the BEM in 2022 after completing a series of fundraising challenges, starting with a lockdown marathon.

He has so far raised more than £168,000 for Paces School in Sheffield and the Children's Hospital Charity in the city.

His newest challenge to raise money for the school will be the Dearne Valley 10K at Manvers in South Yorkshire.

It will be undertaken with a specialist multi-terrain wheelchair, alongside a team from Totley Athletics Club.

"They really need a school hall," he said.

"It's really important to me that I help Paces because I went to Paces from when I was three years old.

"Paces helped me enormously and I wouldn't be as physically able as I am today if it wasn't for them."

Tobias said he would be "bouncing around" in his wheelchair during the 10K.

"I always say that, whatever you do, you should try your best, push yourself as hard as you can but, above all, enjoy yourself," he added.

Tobias's previous challenges included an Ironman, completed over the course of a year - travelling 112 miles on his trike, swimming 2.5 miles and running 26.2 miles, the length of a full marathon.

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