FORCE Santa Cycle a hit for all ages

The FORCE Santa Cycle and Cruise raised £6,386.50, despite being rescheduled from November to January.

Dozens of red-suited cyclists pedalled their way from Topsham to Exmouth earlier this month and joined a Stuart Lines Cruises boat for a trip back along the River Exe.

The event attracted cyclists of all ages, who started the New Year with a ho-ho-ho and one last festive treat for all the family before the tinsel was put away!

Stanley Sokolowski was one of the youngest taking part. The four-year-old from Exeter rode alongside mum Chloe Smith and raised £400 for FORCE as family, friends and colleagues showed their support.

Stanley said the best bit of the day was the cycling and raising money for charity to “help people feel better.”

Delicious

Five-year-old Josh Smith from Topsham held a cake sale ahead of the ride to raise money.

Mum Charlotte helped with the baking and the family set up a stall outside their home, which is on a popular walking route.

Little sister Amelie (3) helped out as friends, neighbours and chums from Topsham School flocked to scoop up the delicious goodies.

They were on sale for 50p – Amelie’s favourite was the unicorn sprinkles cake and Josh’s featured chocolate buttons – but people were handing over notes.

One person bought four cakes for £40!

In total they raised £425 from selling all the sweet treats and extra donations.

Josh cycled with dad Simon.

Delighted

Mary Greener, a more senior cyclist than Stanley and Josh, was not disappointed at the change of date for the Santa Cycle as it meant she could ride it on her birthday.

She set up an online sponsorship page, a Facebook fundraiser and collected from friends at a birthday celebration meal after the ride.

Altogether she raised £427.

Exeter Lord Mayor Kevin Mitchell stood in for Santa, who was back at the North Pole, to hand out presents to the children on board the boat.

“When Storm Bert forced us to call off our annual Santa Cycle and Cruise before Christmas we were as disappointed as all of our cyclists,” said FORCE events fundraiser Chloe Richardson. “So we were delighted that we were able to reschedule it for the New Year.

“It was so lovely to see supporters of all ages enjoying a great day out. And now that we’ve added up all the sponsorship, we want to say a massive thank you to everyone for their support.

“Thanks also to Situ, Stuart Line Cruise, The Bike Shed and Sounds Choir for supporting this event.”

If you’d like to join the next FORCE Santa Cycle and Cruise it’s on Saturday 29th November 2025. Details are on the FORCE website https://forcecancercharity.co.uk/santacycle/ and entry will open later in the year.