Norfolkline supports charity foundation as sporting names follow the Tour de France

Two former top names from the English football rode into the Port of Dover recently and were welcomed aboard our Dover – Dunkerque service recently so that they could follow the Tour de France raising funds for charity.

Geoff Thomas (ex Crystal Palace and England player) accompanied by his great friend, former team mate, TV personality and football pundit Ian Wright, met with Norfolkline Captain Bill Londesborough, prior to boarding the Maersk Dunkerque. Geoff Thomas, having been in remission for the last five years following being treated for leukaemia, has since been raising money for cancer research. To continue to raise awareness and funds through his sporting links, he has now set up his own foundation the “Geoff Thomas Foundation”.

Geoff, Ian Wright and friends were following the entire main race of this year’s Tour de France. Having completed the first London to Canterbury stage, they were planning to relax on Norfolkline’s two hour crossing, prior to taking on the challenges of the European stages, which was to see them complete the race in Paris on 31 July.

Geoff Thomas who is riding the Tour de France for the second time, the first being in 2005, said:

“The first leg from London to Canterbury was tough, but we are well aware that there is a very long way to go and many tough challenges ahead. With the first stages of the actual Tour de France and for us being in the UK, the public response from people of Kent we have received has been absolutely tremendous, giving us great opportunities to promote the Foundation and its purpose. We are delighted to have received support from many organisations such as Norfolkline, whose help in getting us across the channel is hugely appreciated”.

Ian Wright said,

“This is such an important cause in which we’re taking part. The help and support of the public, companies and other organisations is so vital to spread the word of the Geoff Thomas Foundation and its aims. I do travel across the channel regularly and I’m looking forward to crossing with Norfolkline, whose support for the Foundation has already been superb.”

For more information on the Geoff Thomas Foundation visit: www.geoffthomasfoundation.com

Picture: (Left to right) Ian Wright, Geoff Thomas and Captain Bill Londesborough of Norfolkline’s Maersk Dunkerque