Ikeme diagnosis 'timely reminder' for Geoff Thomas during Le Tour de France charity ride
Former Wolves player Geoff Thomas has revealed how news of Carl Ikeme's battle with leukaemia galvanised him during his epic charity cycle challenge.
The ex-England international was part way through completing Le Tour de France - the second of three Grand Tours he took on this summer - when he learnt of the goalkeeper's diagnosis.
Thomas said it brought back painful memories of when he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia in 2003.
But it also motivated the 53-year-old who had been having a particularly challenging day on the bike.
Speaking to the Express & Star after completing his Three Tours Challenge last week, Thomas said it was "timely reminder" that he was battling exhaustion and searing heat to raise crucial funds for Cure Leukaemia.
"I was having a bad day on the bike and when the news about Carl broke it hit me pretty hard," he explained.
"When you are doing a challenge like we were you get involved both physically and mentally. You are all over the place.
"It just hit me that I was moaning about how bad I was feeling.
"The news took me back to when I was diagnosed and I knew where he was. It shocked me.
"I don't even know the guy but in the context of the challenge it did me a world of good. I thought 'stop moaning and remember why you are doing this.'
"I sent my wishes to him and there were a few texts. I just said any time you need to talk or need any advice or anything I can help because I have experienced something very similar."
Thomas, who was at Molineux from 1994 to 1997, was part of the first group of amateur riders to complete the Giro D’Italia, Le Tour de France and the La Vuelta a España in the same summer. They have raised £250,000 so far for Cure Leukaemia.
Ikeme was diagnosed with diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July since when the football community has rallied and several fundraising events have been held including a 24-hour penalty shoot-out.
Thomas, added: "I am a patron for Cure Leukaemia and they have been working with Carl and Wolves very closely since his diagnosis and some amazing things have happened.
"I'm sure Carl has taken a lot of positivity from the support that is out there at the moment."
Visit justgiving.com/fund raising/3tours to make a donation.
