Wolves stars join fans in raising £20,000 to honour Carl Ikeme during Cure Leukaemia fundraiser - WATCH

This time they went through their paces for the Cure Leukaemia charity and goalkeeper Carl Ikeme who continues to receive treatment in his battle against the disease.

The star-studded line up included John Richards, Steve Daley, Kenny Hibbitt, Mel Eves, Andy Thompson, Andy Mutch, Phil Parkes, Gary Pierce, Sam Ricketts and Aaron McCarey, the last of whom flew from Scotland specially for the occasion.

And they helped smash the £10,000 target for the event bringing in at least £20,332.

Richard Stearman, now a Sheffield United player, also made a special trip with his wife and two small children to the six-hour event, held at Molineux's WV1 suite.

He said: "Carl is not just an ex-team mate. He is a close friend. I just wanted to do what I can to help.

"Wolves is one big family and when one of us gets in trouble everybody else stands up to be counted. It's good to be back."

Goalkeeper Aaron McCarey, now playing for Ross County in Scotland, regularly trained and roomed with Carl for six years.

He said: "He was very good to me and I will do anything to help him and this cause."

John Richards, who last played for Wolves in 1963, commented: "I didn't know Carl that well but he is a Wolves player.

"We are all one big family at this club and want to help each other as much as possible."

Former Wolves captain Sam Ricketts added: "I regard Carl as the best goalkeeper I have played with and am not surprised by the way the club and its fans have responded.

"Wolves is part of the community and when something dreadful like this happens, you see its true heart."

Fans paid a fiver-a-head - £2 for those under 16 - to meet, chat and be photographed with their heroes who signed scores of autographs.

The supporters also did their bit. Dave Foster, a 52-year-old sales manager was among those who had their head shaved.

He raised £1,800 and said: "What's a head of hair compared to this fantastic cause? It will grow again."

Father of three Justin Leadbetter, a 40-year-old civil engineer came from his home in Llanidloes, Mid Wales, to have his hair cut off.

He explained: "I have been a Wolves supporter all my life and wanted to show my support."

Graham Arnold, a 42-year-old concrete pump operator from Willenhall collected money by being one of several fans to have his chest waxed and declared: "This kind of thing is always worth the pain although I would rather jump out of plane than go through this again."

There was also an auction of sporting memorabilia, a lucky dip and quizzes involving fans and players.

Devoted fan, Steve Plant, a 56-year-old granddad and self employed builder from Stourbridge, who organised this event after running a 24-hour penalty shoot out before the first game of the season that raised £13,500 for the same cause, confessed: "I knew the people would get behind this but I have been overwhelmed by the size of the support.

"People I don't even know have come up to me and said: 'Here's £60 for the pot.'

"Two of my friends got a taxi here and when the driver heard what it was in aid of he told them: 'Keep the £15 fare and give it to them.'

"That is typical of the generosity being shown. We had £4,000 worth of bids on the internet for the auction before we even opened the doors."

Dave Edwards sent a picture of a Wales shirt from the Welsh team hotel that he and Wayne Hennessey wanted auctioned for the cause after getting the entire Wales team - including Gareth Bale - to sign just hours before their World Cup qualifier against Austria kicked off.

The shirt will be among many sent from clubs throughout the country to go under the hammer at a later date.

Steve declared: "This tells you everything about Carl the man and how popular he is with players and fans alike."

His illness has helped forge a bond between the Wolves club and Cure Leukaemia that has seen an astonishing £70,000 raised for the charity in the past six weeks.

A bucket collection before the first game of the season against Middlesbrough produced £8,000. They have also received a percentage of programme sales among other things.

Carl sent a message which read: "I just want to thank everyone for their ongoing love and support as I continued to receive treatment.

"It has made a big difference to me to have received messages from so many people, not only from Wolves but all the football family.

"The amount of money raised for Cure Leukaemia has been fantastic and will really help the charity in their vital work.

"Good luck to everyone involved. I hope you all have a great time! I am keen to also try and raise awareness of the need for more bone marrow donors to come forward, and am hoping to announce more information on this in the coming weeks."

Bobby Bridgeman from Cure Leukaemia said: "The response from the club and its fans has been amazing. It is gold dust to a charity of our size and we are tremendously grateful for the support. They are very easy people to work with."

The amount raised on Saturday will not be known for several days but will all go towards the £3.5 million expansion of their Centre for Clinical Haematology in Birmingham.