England manager, Fabio Capello, has given his support to Geoff’s campaign by handing over £40,000 to the GTF on behalf of The Football Association.

The cheque was handed over by Capello at The FA’s headquarters in Soho Square at a special reception to launch Thomas’ 20-strong charity team in next month’s 520km London-Paris 09 Cycle Tour.

Also attending the presentation were FA chairman, Lord Triesman, and Trevor Brooking, director of football development.  The Foundation is one of five nominated charity partner supported by The FA.

Geoff said: “We are extremely grateful to The FA for their generous support for our campaign.  We are proud to have the backing of the nation’s football fans and our national game.”

The GTF is also the lead charity partner for this year’s London-Paris Cycle Tour.  Sven Thiele, from HotChillee, the global events company which stages L2P said: “Because of Geoff’s partnership with The FA, we were able to hold our launch at The FA’s prestigious HQ.   We were honoured to be part of such an inspiring and positive night for sport.”

Geoff has a team of 20 riders taking part in this year’s London-Paris Cycle Tour.  Riders, including ex-Palace player, John Salako, policemen, Clive Sparling and Matt Couch joined double Olympic gold medallist, James Cracknell on stage last night to talk about their hopes for this year’s ride.

An auction on the night, conducted by Cyclevox’s Antony McCrossan for items which included exclusive access to an England training camp and a cycling jersey signed by Tour de France winner, Carlos Sastre, raised £6,500.

The launch party was also the focus for the launch of Geoff’s new GTF Unity wristband which was worn by everyone attending the event.  Click Here to buy your own band

Two cyclists from North Yorkshire and County Durham are heading off on a long distance cycle ride to raise money for footballer Geoff Thomas’s cancer charity.

Keith Murray, sales manager for Scott Bikes, from Darlington and Tony Stott, who lives in Selby, will be cycling 1,400 miles from Belgium to Spain.  Their epic journey will take them through Belgium, Andorra and the heart of Spain.

Tony Stott (left) with Keith Murray

Tony and Keith decided to ride for the Geoff Thomas Foundation after Tony survived bowel cancer.  Geoff Thomas, who played for England and Crystal Palace, survived leukaemia and, inspired by cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, he rode the Tour de France route twice to raise money for blood cancer research.  Now Tony and Keith are following in their heroes’ cycling tracks.

Tony, a retired banker, who was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer in 2005, said: “Like so many men, I ignored warning signs for a long time before seeking advice.  My fitness levels did not appear affected and I was more interested in getting on with cycle racing. It was a salutary lesson as a bike rider to be diagnosed with cancer and learn that my only option was major surgery and a permanent colostomy.

“I sought a second opinion because I was desperate not to have the colostomy. I was introduced to a Professor Monson, based in Hull, who had some sympathy with cyclists having worked at the Mayo Clinic in USA where Lance Armstrong received treatment.  He thought there was a good chance he could perform the major surgery with a temporary colostomy.  After I healed internally my tubes were rejoined and put back to normal.”   Tony has had no recurrence of his cancer since 2007.

Geoff Thomas has raised around £1 million for blood cancer and his Foundation is now trying to fund blood cancer nurses and establish an integrated blood cancer treatment network in the UK.
 

Geoff Thomas

Geoff said: “It’s fantastic to see hear about Tony and Keith’s journey and I am so proud that they are supporting the GTF.  Like Lance Armstrong and I, they are showing how the power of sport is helping to beat cancer.”

Tony and Keith begin their cycle ride on May 28th and anyone wishing to support them should send cheques (payable to ‘Geoff Thomas Foundation’) to:
Tony Stott, Breighton Hall, Breighton, Selby, North Yorks YO8 6DH or visit: http://www.justgiving.com/roadtoalicante2009