Wolves fans goes extra mile for Carl Ikeme
A Wolves fan is going the extra mile to show his support for Carl Ikeme – and raising thousands of pounds in the process.
Martin Danks will tomorrow walk from Cannock to Molineux ahead of Wolves' opening-day clash against Middlesbrough.
He's raising money for Cure Leukaemia in aid of Ikeme, who was diagnosed with the disease last month.
Mr Danks, aged 32, set himself an initial target of raising £1,000 – but has already raised more than double that, with the current total at £2,400 and counting.
The Wolves fanatic and around 15 others will begin the 10-mile trek from Bar Sport in Cannock at 9am. Anyone is welcome to join and they'll be walking with charity buckets to pick up some extra cash along the way.
Cheslyn Hay resident Mr Danks said: "When you're as passionate about Wolves as I am, even though I don't know the players on a personal level, Carl's diagnosis hit me quite hard.
"It's your team's goalkeeper, just 31 years of age. Over the years he's done so much for this football club so I wanted to do something to help, no matter how big or small.
"I think I'm probably talking on behalf of a lot of Wolves fans when I say there isn't a day that goes past when you haven't thought about Carl since his diagnosis.
"We've got to keep him at the forefront of our minds all season and it puts football in perspective.
"I'd have been over the moon raising £1,000 but I've already surpassed that and I'm grateful for everyone's support."
So far £1,600 has been raised through donations – but insurance firm Swinton has already agreed to donate 50 per cent of Mr Danks' final total.
The walk will take up to four hours with people meeting at Bar Sport – which is opening early especially for the occasion – from 8am.
Cure Leukaemia have provided collection buckets, t-shirts, sponsorship forms and wristbands.
Visit http://www.gofundme.com/wolves-walk-for-leukaemia to donate.
