Ex-Wolves star Geoff a local hero

Former Wolves star Geoff Thomas is the latest winner of the Express & Star's Local Hero award for his courageous efforts in helping fellow Leukaemia sufferers by raising millions for the cause.

The award follows an amazing personal feat of helping secure £20 million worth of funding for fellow sufferers around the country.

The 44-year-old father-of-two, who lives in Bromsgrove, has campaigned hard for better funding to fight the disease and got his wish earlier this year when the Government said it would find the money for the Geoff Thomas Foundation.

The £20 million is helping fund six world class treatment centres over the next five years to speed up research into blood cancer.

Geoff will be honoured for his work at a celebrity lunch at Molineux in December, supported by award sponsors Wolves and Birmingham Midshires.

He received a certificate at the Wolves training ground in Compton, where he was congratulated by manager Mick McCarthy.

Geoff, who is married to Julie and has two daughters Madison and Georgia, said: "It's great to be recognised and this award will be cherished. I want to do whatever it takes help other people diagnosed with leukaemia.

"We want to give blood cancer patients the chance of life, and with the money we can make a start with what we want to achieve.

"If we can speed up the research taking place for new blood cancer treatments, we could save lives. If everyone pulls in the same direction we can achieve it."

The ex-footballer, who also played for England, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, has taken part in the Tour De France twice to raise money. He underwent a life-saving bone marrow transplant in January 2004 after his sister Kay stepped forward to help.