Tour 21 cycling fundraisers set off

Mike Hopkins, principal of Chamber patron South and City College Birmingham, alongside a 21-strong amateur cycling team, has started an epic charity challenge in aid of Cure Leaukaemia.

The Tour 21 Team have started their 3,384km cycling challenge, completing the Tour de France a week before the professionals are due to head the road on 26 June.

The aim is to raise an incredible £1,000,000 for blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia.

The team is led by former footballer, Geoff Thomas who had a 20-year career in football that included nine England caps and the captaincy of Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Final.

Geoff was tragically diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and given three months to live, but received vital treatment in Birmingham.

He went into remission in 2005 and has been helping to raise funds ever since so that more patients can access lifesaving treatments for blood cancer.

Principal Mike Hopkins (pictured), already a well-known amateur cyclist, has put in 1000s of miles on the road as his training schedule prepared him for this incredible challenge.

Mike said: “I have been a part of an incredible amount of South and City College Birmingham charity fundraising over a number of years now, all with a real relevance to staff and students in the college.

“We are supporting Cure Leukaemia because a number of individuals here at South and City have had the disease; sadly one of our managers passed away as a result.

“However, there is also a personal significance as my father died of leukaemia over two years ago having had immense help and support at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Considering the difficulties the charity sector has experienced because of the pandemic, £1 million will make a vital difference to research and life saving drugs - and it's here in Birmingham. ”

To support Tour 21, donate here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/southcitycollegebirmingham