Carl Ikeme: Cure Leukaemia fund smashes the £100k mark as it emerges Robert Plant donated

It comes as it emerged that former Led Zeppelin frontman and Wolves fan Robert Plant has made an undisclosed personal donation to the fund.

Carl was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July, sparking an outpouring of support from across the footballing world.

Numerous fundraising drives have been organised in the three months since.

But Cure Leukaemia confirmed tonight that the fund has now smashed through the £100,000 barrier.

Former Walsall and Halesowen Town striker Troy Deeney, who now plays for Watford, was hailed alongside Plant for their ‘generous personal donations’.

Cure Leukaemia chief executive James McLaughlin said people’s ‘generosity has been truly humbling’ and he has been amazed by how the club has rallied in support of Carl.

Mr McLaughlin praised the support of everyone associated with Wolves in a thank you note, addressed to ‘The Wolves family’.

He said: “On behalf of everyone associated with blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire Wolverhampton Wanderers family for the funds you have raised in support of Carl Ikeme. To date, you have raised a staggering £106,000 for the charity. Your generosity has been truly humbling.

“This amazing fundraising figure will continue to rise with further events being organised and I can assure you that every single penny will going towards a project that will save thousands of lives and hasten global progress towards eradicating all forms of blood cancer within 25 years.

“On behalf of all the patients who will benefit from what you have all done for Cure Leukaemia, thank you and I wish you every success for the rest of the season.”

Money raised in support of Carl will go towards Cure Leukaemia’s £1 million appeal to fund the expansion of the internationally renowned Centre for Clinical haematology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Among the fundraisers organised was a 24-hour penalty shoot-out set up by Wolves fan and author Steve Plant which raised £13,000.

Meanwhile a bucket collection before the club’s first game of the season against Middlesbrough at Molineux earned just short of £8,000.

Other fundraisers have included fans walking from Cannock to Molineux before the Middlesbrough match and 1,000 donations for a special commemorative shirt which has with cash also raised through proceeds from the printing of goalkeeper shirts with ‘Ikeme 1’ on the back. Mr McLaughlin hailed the personal fundraising efforts of all those involved. He said: “The bucket collection at the Middlesbrough match alone totalled over £8,000 typifying how the club has rallied in support of your number one and I am sure it has given Carl a tremendous boost knowing there is such love and support for him amongst the fans.

“There are a few people I’d like to acknowledge individually.

“Steve Plant and his team raised well over £20,000 through two fundraising events; a 24-hour penalty shoot-out in Wolfie’s Den and a family day at WV1.

“Steve’s energy and passion to help raise funds to support Carl has been extraordinary and I believe there are plans in place for another fundraising event in the coming weeks.

“He also donated a signed 1966 England shirt as an auction item at The Steve Bull Foundation Charity Ball, an evening which raised a further £7,000 for Cure Leukaemia.

“Musician Robert Plant and Watford striker Troy Deeney made very generous personal donations, as did Paycare CEO Kevin Rogers and the support from within the club, especially from Laurie Dalrymple, Paul Berry, Laura Gabbidon, Will Clowes and Sam Bagnall has been unwavering with the players too showing great support over the last three months.

“Martin Danks and his team walked from Cannock to Molineux on the day of the Middlesbrough match raising over £4,000, William Machin and Sam Bagnall cycled Velo Birmingham raising over £1,000 and John Norgrove recently completed the Birmingham International Marathon raising over £400.

“Young Louis Johnson has raised over £450 through a variety of events, Thomas Stokes shaved all his hair off for £400, Danny Doherty cycled from the Land Oak to Molineux raising £350 and Wednesfield FC raised over £1,000 from a charity match.

“I’d also like to thank the Express and Star for the phenomenal coverage the paper has given these fundraising efforts since July and I’d also like to mention the BBC’s John Bray for his support and fundraising in memory of his father.”

Table-topping Wolves head to Premier League leaders Manchester City tomorrow night for a Carabao Cup round of 16 fixture.

To donate to the fund visit justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/cureleukaemia/ikeme