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My story

 

FOR the second time in three years, Geoff Thomas and his Unity Team undertook one of the most testing challenges in all of professional sport during the summer of 2007 - The Tour de France.

Riding two days behind the actual race, Geoff and his intrepid team mates, including special guest riders such as football legend Ian Wright, attempted to cover the 3,550-kilometre course.

Geoff had successfully completed the route in 2005, raising over £170,000 for Leukaemia Research in the process.

Those efforts were sufficient to win the prestigious BBC Helen Rollason Sports Personality Award and the ringing personal praise of the greatest cyclist to ever live – seven-times Tour winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong.

Geoff explained: “I think it’s a well-known story now that when I was being treated for leukaemia, Lance’s book was a huge inspiration for me and led to me riding the Tour in 2005.

“This time, though, there was a slightly different motive. Four of the Unity team are, like me, cancer survivors and I thought it was important to spread the news and show examples of how many brave and inspirational people there are in the cancer community.

“Lance was an inspiration to me and people were kind enough to say I helped inspire them in 2005. Well, these guys should be an inspiration to everyone for what they accomplished and how they did it.”

The 2007 Tour de France started in London, giving the ride a personal feel to Geoff who spent the most successful period of his football career in the capital withCrystalPalace.

The route covered 3,550 kilometres, made up of 11 flat stages, 6 mountain stages, 1 medium mountain stage and 2 individual time-trial stages.  There were 3 mountain finishes, 2 rest days, 117 kilometres of individual time-trials and 21 Category 1, Category 2 and highest level passes.

It also featured some emotional highs and heartbreaking lows for Geoff, the riders and their hard-working support staff.

And you can follow the Unity Team every step of the way by visiting the Taking on Le Tour 2007 pages at www.geoffthomasfoundation.com

Please dig deep and sponsor the Unity Team

Donation by Phil Beeston 15/08/07  

£125.00 + £35.26 Gift Aid

good luck! Donation by KB 15/08/07  

£20.00

Donation by Stephen Hayes 13/08/07  

£2.00 + £0.56 Gift Aid

Geoff - still the true Palace hero. This small donation is for the special 'Palace Echo' Donation by Martin Searle 13/08/07  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Up The Palace Donation by Jim Joyce 13/08/07  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Please find attached donation in respect of the cup final programme auction. Many thanks. Jason Donation by Jason 12/08/07  

£60.00 + £16.92 Gift Aid

You've been an inspiration to many people Geoff, what a fantastic achievement.. Donation by Chris Larman 11/08/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

still my all time palace hero - good call from neil the eagle and the echo team Donation by daniel king 11/08/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Never will be forgotten in SE 25 Donation by Colonel Britain 10/08/07  

£5.00

Brilliant. Almost as good as the Baggies! Donation by Richard Brookes 10/08/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

As inspirational now as when captain at Palace. Donation by John O'Connor 09/08/07  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Geoff has the piercing blue eyes of a true hero Donation by Laurie Dahl 09/08/07  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Geoff you are a true Palace legend and your feats of endurance are awesome!! Donation by Andrew Fishleigh 09/08/07  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Well done again Donation by Paul Smith 09/08/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Men At Work 09/08/07  

£10.00

Your amazing effort is very humbling Donation by Roger Child 08/08/07  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

You are the true stars of this years tour. Donation by Andrew Briggs 07/08/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

2205 miles on custard and rice pud! Fantastic achievement. Congrats to Dave Granger (and GTF). Donation by Mary & Richard Hill 07/08/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Well done on completing the Tour. You are Britain's Lance Armstrong. (a nurse who looked after you) Donation by Jean Clee 07/08/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done Donation by Jane Kilty 06/08/07  

£10.00

Congratulations to you all! Hello to Dave G from both soph and mike Donation by sophie whitworth 06/08/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Robin Brew 06/08/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Congratulations! Donation by Graeme 06/08/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done Dave & the rest of the guys, Truly inspirational (Joanne is incredibly proud by the way) Donation by Nigel Williams 06/08/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

the video of the tour - wow, great stuff Donation by bob higgins 05/08/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

You are a great family and we are pleased to be your friends. Well done xxxx Donation by Jan Marshall 03/08/07  

£140.00 + £39.49 Gift Aid

Fantastically well done; thanks for waiting on the Iseran; great photo Donation by David St 03/08/07  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Congratulations to Andrew Robson for completing Etape De Tour Donation by PDP 03/08/07  

£150.00 + £42.31 Gift Aid

legends Donation by hove eagle 02/08/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by craggy 02/08/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
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