Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme was diagnosed with leukaemia back in 2017 and has since received treatment at Ward 19 at Heartlands Hospital. Now, Carl is preparing to take on the epic cycling challenge that is Velo Birmingham & Midlands 2019.

Velo comes to the streets of the West Midlands this Sunday, and Carl will be there on his bike alongside his doctor and friend Manos Nikolousis and other members of the Ward 19 team. Ward 19 is the specialist cancer ward at Heartlands Hospital, and offers world class care to patients with a range of cancers, including leukaemia.

Carl was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 31, whilst he was still a professional footballer with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Since then, Carl has been under the care of Ward 19 and two years on, Carl is in complete remission.

Carl is still receiving treatment at Ward 19, but is determined to raise money for Ward 19 by taking on Velo Birmingham & Midlands. He said: “Manos and the team perform miracles at Ward 19. The care I received was incredible and I wanted to do what I can to give back.

“I’m feeling nervous about cycling 100 miles, it’s not something that I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to it as well. It’s a huge challenge and I’ll be proud to be cycling alongside Manos and the Ward 19 team.”

Carl opened the new cancer unit at Solihull Hospital, which forms an extension of Ward 19, in the summer of 2018 and is hopeful that his fundraising can continue to make a difference to patients who are treated at both hospitals.

He said: “The money is going to a great cause. The additional facilities will mean that they can treat even more patients like me, and like all of the other amazing patients that I got to meet whilst at the hospital. The money really does help people, I’m proof of that really. The money can affect everyone in the area, and even across the world as the team change the way that we treat cancer.”

Manos said: “I can’t believe that Carl is in the situation where he is able to take on this massive challenge. It’s a great example of how someone can overcome their disease and continue with their normal life. I’ll be proud to cycle alongside Carl on Sunday.”

Reflecting on the support that he’s received from the football community, Carl said: “The support I’ve received has been incredible, from Wolves especially. From top to bottom, executives, players, fans, everyone has been incredible.

“Everyone from the football world has been really good to me. I’ve had loads of people get in touch and it’s been overwhelming.”

Sian Averill, Fundraising Manager at Heartlands Hospital Charity, said: “On behalf of everyone at Heartlands Hospital Charity I’d like to wish Carl, Manos and the whole Ward 19 team the very best of luck for Velo on Sunday.

“It is incredible that Carl is taking on this epic challenge, he’s an inspiration to everyone.”

You can support the Ward 19 team’s fundraising here.

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