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