A BARNT Green resident and former England footballer is being joined by those closest to him on his latest fundraising challenge.

Geoff Thomas, a former Wolves midfielder, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2003 when he was given only three months to live.

The news came as a shock with the ex-England football international having only retired a year earlier.

Wife Julie shielded daughters Madison and Georgia, then aged only 10 and seven respectively, from their dad’s survival fight, which received a defining boost from a sibling.

Geoff’s sister Kay was able to provide a stem cell donation that, coupled with pioneering treatment, enabled Cure Leukaemia co-founder Professor Charlie Craddock to save Geoff’s life.

On the milestone 10th anniversary of the 50-year-old entering remission, the Thomas family are again supporting him, this time by joining him on his latest cycle challenge.

London 2 Paris (L2P) is being held from June 18 until June 22 and Julie, Madison, Georgia, Kay and Geoff's cousin Debbie will be among 230 cyclists riding up to 80 miles a day.

The ride takes place a few weeks before Geoff's major fundraising challeng Le Tour – One Day Ahead, where the entire Tour de France route is cycled a day ahead of the professional peloton.

Geoff first organised the challenge in 2005, and wanted to mark 10 years since that challenge as well as entering remission.

Geoff said: "When you’re going through a battle against blood cancer, it’s a joint effort.

“I was really fortunate. Not everyone has that kind of family support. It’s ever so special.

“My sister gave me a second chance in life. Kay’s stem cell transplant is still working its magic inside me today. We’ll have the full team that were solid behind me on the ride because Professor Craddock, a miracle man, is also doing L2P."

Julie said: "Geoff was out but I remember being on the stairs when he called to tell me they thought he had leukaemia. It was absolutely devastating, horrendous.

“It came completely out of the blue. Geoff was young and fit. There was absolutely no reason why something like that should happen. We just put our blinkers on and tried to get on with it. Charlie Craddock was unbelievable."

Geoff has tirelessly fundraised to raise money for treatment, research and awareness for blood cancer, which led to him becoming patron of the Cure Leukamia charity.

Geoff is trying to raise £1 million, with the money being used to go to the QE Hospital's Centre For Clinical Haematalogy to deliver pioneering treatment for patients.

Geoff's fundraising website can be found at justgiving.com/Geoff-Thomas-2015.

For more details on Le Tour – One Day Ahead, visit http://cureleukaemia.co.uk.