Bill Cooksey: Tribute to oldest person to finish the Great North Run

In September Bill Cooksey, 102, completed the Great North Run

An RAF veteran who became the oldest person to complete the Great North Run at 102-years-old, has died.

Bill Cooksey walked the half marathon route from Newcastle to South Shields, accompanied by two friends.

The centenarian, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, raised almost £2,000 to support his local NHS Trust charity.

Sir Brendan Foster said despite over one million finishers over the years, Mr Cooksey was not only the oldest but also "the most inspirational".

"To have met him a few times was a privilege," the event's founder told BBC Radio Tees.

"He was actually the brother-in-law of my coach so it brought back many memories.

"I think, he said, 'If I get to the start, I'll be all right'. Well he got to the start, he was all right, he had a great day. And the reaction we got... we had the great Mo Farah running his last ever race. And yet Bill outshone them all in terms of inspiration."

Mr Cooksey, who was born in Wales, died on Wednesday morning.

Mr Cooksey crossing the rain-soaked finish line in South Shields

In the lead up to September's Great North Run he told the BBC he had enjoyed walking since his retirement in 1980 and walked about two miles a day to keep fit.

"I hope it will encourage other people to try the same thing," he told our reporter at the time.

He was given a special Great North Run number - 102 - signed by Sir Brendan.

Afterwards he was given a hero's welcome at the Great North Run's headquarters.

"We had a special day. And once [we had done] the formalities he started telling jokes and started reciting some of his poetry, which was entertaining to say the least," Sir Brendan laughed, as he paid tribute to a "great man".

The centenarian worse a specially selected number featuring his age

Mr Cooksey was accompanied by his friend Gavin Hasting and Sue Jacques, the chief executive of County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust, and footage of them crossing the finish line has been shared online.

He completed the course in 5 hours and 41 minutes, despite a torrential downpour.

Pat Chambers, charity development manager at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, added: "He was so very proud to say he walked the whole way - no sitting down.

"He was a wonderful man, dedicated to others and will be fondly remembered by everyone lucky enough to know him."

Mr Cooksey was supported by Sue Jacques and Gavin Hasting

In April he was invited to an event in Westminster by Sedgefield MP Paul Howell, who last week asked Mr Cooksey to sign a small wooden cross to put in the remembrance garden on behalf of the constituency, for Remembrance Sunday.

"It says William Cooksey and the East Africa Command that he served in," he said.

"I couldn't have anticipated what was going to happen. But it just adds a little bit more poignancy."

The retired teacher had previously set himself a challenge of walking 100 miles (161km) when he turned 100 years old, trekking 10 miles a day for 10 days along the Locomotion Way between Newton Aycliffe and Shildon stations.

Not stopping there, he clocked up 1,000 miles (1,609km) on his tricycle to celebrate his 101st birthday.

He walked 12 miles (19km) between Seaton Carew and Hartlepool to test his fitness in terms of being able to do the 13.1 mile (21km) course.

The father-of-three encouraged everybody to walk at least two miles a day and completed all the long-distance paths in Northern England.

Bill Cooksey was born in Wales and was a retired teacher

He said he put his good health down to keeping active, as well as a good diet and lifestyle.

"The only thing I regret is having to give up dancing. I think that's another secret to good health," he said.