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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

Good Luck to you all. Donation by Charles Trafford 25/07/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck with the Tour Donation by barry moulder 25/07/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

I saw you all in Toulouse - didn't say anything but wanted to wish you all good luck Donation by charlie hey 24/07/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

more power to your pedals Donation by mart / wend 24/07/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

A fantastic achievement Richie (Andrew Robson) - to you and all the riders Donation by John Bell 24/07/07  

£50.00

good luck Donation by Dave 24/07/07  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Tom one of the nutritionlist on your team is my best mate, so been reading your diary, keep going! x Donation by Helen Peterkin 24/07/07  

£10.00

Well done Dan! - from all at PKF. Donation by Adrienne Kerry 24/07/07  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Just ridden up those col's on a motorbike, due respect Geoff for all your acheivements. Donation by Cliff Wilton 24/07/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Geoff,the book is a great read and your efforts are an inspiration! go fo it!! Donation by steveok 23/07/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well Done for all your efforts Donation by Lilian & Colin Ellmore 23/07/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous 23/07/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

well Done Andrew - a truely fine effort! Donation by Andrew Cobden 23/07/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Mark Sutton 22/07/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck and thank you for the inspirational work. Donation by Carl 22/07/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by John 22/07/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

I am completely amazed. Good Luck Donation by Halfords Lane John 22/07/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Awesome challenge Mike G - all the best from Stratford CC Donation by Steve K 21/07/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by blueboys1 21/07/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

awesome Donation by strofiwimple 20/07/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Inspiring guys. Glad to see you burnt off the Arsenal part-timer. Donation by gareth morgans 20/07/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Keep pedalling Geoff Donation by Andrew 20/07/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Alistair Millns 19/07/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

A Great Palace Player, working for a great cause Donation by peter boniface 19/07/07  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

You make my London Marathon efforts look insignificant! Well done. Donation by Peter Walters 19/07/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by terence clark 19/07/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

All Forest fans are behind you Geoff. Donation by Ian McDonough 19/07/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Spartacus 19/07/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Having watched the Alpine stages I wish you the best of luck Donation by Thomas Fletcher 19/07/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck all. You're truly inspirational. Donation by Louise Thomas 19/07/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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