Tributes have poured in for RAF veteran and NHS fundraiser William 'Bill' Cooksey following his death at 102 years old.
The centenarian, who raised thousands of pounds for the National Health Service during his life, including doing a 1,000-mile cycle ride for his 100th birthday, was active to the very end.
Back in June, he showed age is just a number after completing the Great North Run in less than six hours at the age of 102 - 70 years after he served in the RAF - to become the oldest person to complete the event.
Speaking just before the race, Mr Cooksey had said: "Very often you get to the same age and say 'that's it, I'm not supposed to be able to do this' but I just carried on as normal and I shall continue to do so until I am forced to stop."
This grit and determination for life and charity began with Bill’s military career, which included four years in the Middle East, as well as working on board an air sea rescue flight supporting the 8th army in Benghazi.
Following an emergency landing in Cyprus, he and his comrades were forced to live in a Wellington Bomber for six weeks.
Described as a 'legend' around Newton Aycliffe, Mr Cooksey was a school teacher for many years in the area, before starting his charity challenges because he wanted to raise some funds for the NHS, which has looked after him on several occasions over the years.
Despite the 1000-mile challenge and the Great North Run, this was far from his first charity effort.
In 2021, the Aycliffe resident set himself the challenge of walking 100 miles for a local NHS charity that helped to make palliative care more comfortable for him.
His walking effort in 2021 raised just over £3,000 for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Charity.
This feat earned him adoration from the Foundation charity, with Pat Chambers, charity development manager at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, paying tribute to Bill - saying: "He was a wonderful man, dedicated to others and will be fondly remembered by everyone lucky enough to know him."
Following his death earlier this week at the age of 102, Mr Cooksey has been described as a 'true hero' and 'gentleman' by those closest to him.
Gavin Hastings, who did the Great North Run with Bill, posted an emotional tribute to an 'amazing inspiration' on Wednesday (November 8).
Posting online, Mr Hastings said: "Today has been very difficult, I am really sad to announce that William Cooksey, my dear friend and walking companion at this year's Great North Run passed away in the early hours of this morning.
"Bill suffered a fall at home yesterday and despite our NHS best efforts Bill slipped away.
"It was an absolute honour to train and walk the half marathon with Bill - a Legend and remarkable gentleman who I have had the privilege to know since 1995.
"We will remember his determination, zest for the great outdoors and his continued fundraising for our NHS.
"You are truly inspirational - we will miss you. Sleep tight Bill."
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 was an honour to commemorate our local heroes— past and present— in the House of Commons’ Constituency Garden of Remembrance," Mr Howell said, paying tribute to Bill.
"It is critical that we recognise the selfless sacrifice of our service personnel; those who endanger themselves to protect our way of life.
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"This year was particularly poignant, as the remembrance cross was signed by local hero and RAF Veteran, Bill Cooksey, who sadly passed away earlier this week at the age of 102.
"We remember Bill and his compatriots who bravely served our country."
Paying a separate tribute to Bill, Mr Howell said: "Bill will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He was a true hero, and his legacy will continue to inspire us all for generations to come."
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