|  |  |  | | | | THOMAS COMPLETES TOUR DE FRANCE CHALLENGE | | | | |
| |  Geoff Thomas and team at the finish of Le Tour
Release Date: 22nd July 2005
Former England footballer Geoff Thomas, 40, yesterday (Thursday 21st July 2005) completed his 2,200-mile cycling challenge in aid of Leukaemia Research.
Geoff was welcomed into Paris by a crowd of family, friends and supporters as he rode up the Champs-Elysées to the finish line.
“The support was fantastic throughout the whole event and it has kept me going throughout the past weeks,” said Geoff.
Geoff was diagnosed with life-threatening chronic myeloid leukaemia in July 2003 and underwent a bone marrow transplant in January 2004. He has been in remission since last Christmas, when he was given permission by doctors to take on the physical demands of the astonishing challenge of cycling 2,200 mile in just 21 days!
“There are so many people I would like to thank,” said Geoff. “I’d like to especially thank the rest of the team for joining me on this personal challenge, my family who have been so understanding throughout, everyone who has worked so hard to help me make this challenge possible and to my supporters who have made some kind of contribution to the cause.
“The work Leukaemia Research does is saving lives – and I’m living proof. Charities like Leukaemia Research are funding vital, life-saving research to improve and find new treatments for leukaemia and other blood cancers, which are indiscriminate – they can affect anyone – young or old.
“The charity is dedicated to finding the cures for these blood cancers and having myself been through it and come out the other end, I am so determined to play my part in helping them achieve this. I just hope that my story and my challenge inspires even more people to support the charity,” he added.
Former Communications Director Alastair Campbell, who has been supporting Leukaemia Research after losing his best friend - the journalist John Merritt - and John's daughter Ellie to leukaemia, joined Geoff on the penultimate leg of his tour on Wednesday 20th July.
“I think what Geoff has done is phenomenal,” said Alastair, who is also the charity’s Chairman of Fundraising. “To do it so soon after being diagnosed with leukaemia is a real inspiration. Leukaemia Research is very lucky to have someone like Geoff raising funds and awareness in this way and I am delighted to have been able to join him on the ride and to be able to support him.”
The pair, along with the rest of the team completed the 55km time-trial stage in fifteen hours.
“It was great that Alastair was able to come out to support me on this stage of my tour. It was a real motivation and pleasure having him with me,” said Geoff.
The latest total on Geoff’s website stands at nearly £115,000. To make a donation, place a bid for one of Geoff’s t-shirts worn by him on one stage of the ride and for more information on the challenge, including his daily diary updates, log on to www.geoff-thomas.com
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