Geoff saddles up for a new charity challenge
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 Manchester 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 £1 million.
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, 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 to double its capacity for patients, clinical trials and specialist clinicians.
The team - currently on a stage of the Giro D’Italia in Italy - will cycle a total of 10,504km, all in only 63 days. Only 39 professional cyclists have taken on and completed the challenge no amateur or professional team has done it before.
Geoff, who made 11 appearances for Rochdale in 1982 before making his name at Crewe Alexandra then Crystal Palace, winning nine England caps, has been supported along the way by England manager Gareth Southgate.
He said: “As a former teammate of Geoff’s I know what a brave and committed player he was and these qualities will have no doubt helped him through his own battle with blood cancer. His fundraising since he beat the disease has not only raised millions but also inspired so many people in the process. I am in no doubt that Geoff and the team will complete this monumental cycling challenge and raise considerable funds towards Cure Leukaemia’s £1m appeal.
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/3tours. For full details visit www.3tours challenge.com.