Nello bike ride highlights the power of FORCE support

Brilliant, fantastic and superb – just some of the words used to describe FORCE Cancer Charity’s 26^th Nello bike ride.

A total of 1,330 cyclists signed up to take part in the charity’s annual fundraising event, always held on the final Sunday in June.

This year’s Nello is on course to raise more than £100,000, which will help FORCE in its mission to provide free support and advice to people in Devon affected by cancer.

“Huge thanks to all the cyclists, volunteers, supporters and businesses, especially Bike Shed, who make this event so special,” said Nello organiser Chloe Richardson from FORCE.

“We’d also like to express our gratitude to the communities around the course who make FORCE and our cyclists welcome on this special day every year. It means so much to us and the people we’re here to help,” she added.

Memory

The event starts and finishes at Topsham Rugby Club with riders tackling either 100 or 60 miles.

Cat Barber rode in memory of her husband – “My beautiful Ant man, Anthony Barber” – who died last year. She completed the 100-mile route with a poignant return to Topsham Rugby Club, where Ant’s wake was held.

Her online fundraising page has attracted £1,187.50 in sponsorship as she highlighted the help FORCE gave the couple and continues to support her.

She explained on her fundraising page: “It’s taken me too long to write this because I knew it would hurt.

“FORCE helped with work and benefit advice, putting us in touch with a finance specialist at Macmillan, counselling for both of us and just providing a safe place to sit and have a brew that wasn’t the hospital.

Support

“FORCE provide such a good service to cancer sufferers and their families in the local area, from therapy, wig fittings, group sessions, gym sessions… you name it, they do it. With 1 in 2 people now getting cancer at some point in their life, these charities need our support more than ever.

“FORCE is still support me after the unimaginable loss of Ant and have helped me realise that his cancer journey was not a typical one and the amount of advocating I had to do was not ok.

“I have done the Nello twice before, in my former life as a PT, when I taught 16 classes a week and at least four of them were spins. It wasn’t so bad.

“However, now, as a fat, unfit 41 year old, the prospect is terrifying. Add to this the fact that training started well but has been non-existent since the butter back melted again mid-April, combined with just generally feeling like crap both physically and mentally (grief is a wonderful thing). Now hay fever is kicking my ass too, the odds are stacked against me.

“What I do know is that 100 miles on a bike is NOTHING compared to what Ant went through and although it will suck, I owe it to my husband and to FORCE to get through.”

Challenging

She set off with friend Charlotte Carter, who took on the challenging 60-mile course.

Charlotte said: “Last year lost two friends in their 40s, Brett Whitford and Ant Barber. FORCE were the ones there at the end, and still now for the counselling. The effects it has on those who are left behind are visible every day, every memory, every celebration, every milestone, birthday, anniversary.”

Paul Clifford completed the 100-mile route less than five months after major surgery to remove his bladder, prostate and lymph nodes after a shock cancer diagnosis last year.

“What a superb event you all at FORCE put on! Thank you all so much for everything and hopefully a little more money trickles in,” said Paul, who has already raised £2,562.50 including Gift Aid.

Dave Holt added: “What a fantastic day, such a brilliant event as always. Thank you to all of the organisers and volunteers and a big shout out to the Bike Shed chap who fixed my snapped gear cable so that I could finish the last 19miles. Legend!”

Wonderful

Kevin Goss said: “Great day as always, very big thanks to all the volunteers, the Bike Shed and of course Topsham Rugby Club for providing such a wonderful venue!”

The routes are based on the training schedules used by event founder Marc Millon and the late Nello Ghezzo as they prepared for a charity ride to Venice.

Marc and his wife, Kim, rode this year’s event on their trusty tandem and said afterwards: “ A huge thanks to everyone at FORCE Cancer Charity for organising such a wonderful Nello yet again.

“We know at first-hand what immense thought and effort goes into The Nello each year to ensure safety and support on the road (huge thanks to Mike and team at The Bike Shed); to set up and clean up after the event; to organise the music and food at Nello HQ and of course the fabulous food at all the stops, served with such friendly warmth by the volunteers; and so many other elements that are needed to make this huge event happen.

Vital

“We have seen The Nello grow and evolve over the past 26 years and to me it now seems to embody something of the spirit and soul of FORCE and the work you do for our community, giving vital support to those in need in order to enhance lives, simply make them happier, better, often at the most desperate times when people are in need of such positive support (I speak from my own experience).

“People ride The Nello for all sorts of reasons: for some it is simply a glorious annual cycle ride over a stunning and challenging route; for others, it’s the cakes that keep them going and coming back each year. But for many, every year there are those who ride for deeply personal and painful reasons, to remember and honour a loved one who is gone and much missed, the ride itself perhaps a step towards part of the healing.

“The Nello was born out of such deep and heartfelt emotion when 90 of us lined up on Topsham Quay in June 2000 following Nello’s untimely death in 1999 (he was only 50 years old).

Spirit

“I know many of us feel that The Nello is more than just a cycle ride; it is life enhancing, brings joy, happiness and satisfaction and sense of achievement to so many.

“So thank you Chloe, Rachel, Heather, Lauren and so many more at FORCE (and not forgetting the many volunteers, many of whom return to help year after year) for not only making The Nello happen but for maintaining the essential spirit out of which it was born.”

FORCE donated unused supplies from the event to the Exeter Foodbank and Exeter Food Action.