Spider-Man surprise for boy who ran nine marathons
Spider-Man surprise for boy who ran nine marathons
Chloe Aslett - YorkshireFri, July 31, 2026 at 7:15 AM UTC
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Oliver has raised £16,000 for the charity that supported his dad by completing nine marathons in four months
A nine-year-old who ran nine marathons for the charity that supported his dad has met Tom Holland and Zendaya at the premiere for the new Spider-Man film.
The surprise was organised by BBC's The One Show for Oliver Smith, from Wombwell in Barnsley, who raised £16,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity after his dad was diagnosed last year.
Oliver was driven to London under the guise of being interviewed by the charity, and was actually taken to the five-star Raffles hotel where he met the stars of his favourite franchise.
He said: "I burst into tears because I was just so happy. It was just a really good experience."
He was gifted tickets to the film premiere on Wednesday with his dad Tom, mum Hannah and four-year-old sister Freya.
Oliver said the ruse was "set up perfectly".
"We go into Raffles and I just see Zendaya, Tom Holland and Jacob Batalon standing there," he said.
"I thought it couldn't get any better until they asked me to sit down and started interviewing me.
"They just asked me what my name was and asked me what I've done. Then they surprised me by telling me that they knew the whole time."
Tom has returned to his job as an assistant headteacher after a successful operation
Tom was diagnosed with a meningioma in August last year, leading to Oliver completing nine marathons in just four months for the charity.
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He ran with his local MPs Stephanie Peacock and Dan Jarvis at a local parkrun, was joined by BBC presenter Amy Garcia on a run and met Joe Wicks at the London Mini Marathon.
Tom said: "Proud is an understatement. It's just been the most humbling experience of my entire life.
"Obviously, if I'd had a choice, I wouldn't have had a brain tumour... me and Hannah struggled emotionally with how it might play out."
The 40-year-old said he had recovered "quite well" and he has since returned to work as an assistant headteacher after undergoing successful surgery.
"It's been the most wonderful experience to see Oliver thriving and getting all these amazing opportunities," he said.
"It's been tough but it would be difficult to say I'd change it... the by-product of what's happened has been life-altering really. I'm proud beyond belief."
Oliver, who has been running from the age of four, is now undertaking a triathlon version of his challenge to raise further money for the charity.
Clare Horwood, director of fundraising, said: "We are hugely grateful to Oliver and everyone who supports us.
"Brain tumours remain the biggest cancer killer of the under-40s in the UK, and his efforts will make an enormous difference to people affected by a diagnosis, as well as to the countless individuals who care for them."
Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
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Boy's nine marathon charity challenge nears end
Related internet links
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The Brain Tumour Charity
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
