Ex-footballer pedals way to raise £1m for cancer care

FORMER professional footballer Geoff Thomas has saddled up for a gruelling charity challenge to raise money for cancer care.

The ex-England international, who played for Rochdale and captained Crystal Palace in the 1990 FA Cup final against United, survived chronic myeloid leukaemia in 2005.

He’s been eating up the miles on his bike ever since, supporting good causes involved in the fight against all forms of the disease.

Now Rochdale-born Geoff, 52, has taken on his toughest test to date – to help raise £1m.

He’s part of a five-strong team of cyclists riding the tortuous routes of all three grand tours consecutively, The Giro D’Italia, Le Tour de France and La Vuelta a Espana in Spain, just one day ahead of the professionals.

The charity Cure Leukaemia, founded in 2003, is aiming to raise £1m in 2017 and all funds raised from the epic challenge will go towards the appeal.

Geoff is taking part in the ‘Three Tours Challenge’ alongside team members Doug McKinnon, Marcus Leach, James Maltin and Hayden Groves – all amateur cyclists.

The charity, which supported and helped treat Geoff during his cancer battle, wants to expand the Centre for Clinical Haematology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham in order to double its capacity for patients, clinical trials and specialist clinicians.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/3tours. For full details visit 3tourschallenge.com.