Mark rides The Nello to help sustain FORCE’s key role

Mark Durk will be taking part in his first Nello ride this year, cycling 60 miles to ensure that cancer patients like him can get the support they need from FORCE Cancer Charity.

Mark was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019 and had surgery at the RD&E.

One of the most useful sessions in the lead up to his operation was a health and wellbeing clinic, run in a partnership between the hospital and FORCE and involving volunteers from our charity who were able to share their experience of cancer.

“This answered a lot of questions and gave practical advice from people who had ‘been there, done that.’ A very useful supplement to the clinical expertise, which tends inevitably to be from an expert, observational point of view,” said Mark.

“There is a load of information, leaflets, websites and so-on that sometimes raise as many questions as answers, so being able to speak with people face to face added an extra dimension to my preparation for the op and recovery.”

Remission

Mark is keen to support FORCE now so that others like him can benefit from the free services that our charity provides for thousands of local people affected by cancer.

He told us: “I felt a bit of a fraud. I was generally well and at Stage One, thanks to early diagnosis. A couple of days in hospital (robotic keyhole procedure) and I was well on the road to recovery.

“I’ve been in remission ever since and am reasonably fit and healthy – apart from old age. So, a bike ride should be within my capabilities and generate some value for FORCE.

“I know my wife appreciated the non-clinical support, helping put into context the reality of everyday life in the early days of recovery. For example, how do you deal with a full catheter bag in the middle of the night? A nurse can tell you, but they may have no personal experience. A patient or relative can probably give much more down to earth and useful advice!

Valuable

“I can only imagine the concerns of people diagnosed with more aggressive, higher stage cancers than mine. I’m convinced that organisations like FORCE, which are there for the long term, provide a very valuable service. It would be nice to imagine that the NHS should do all of this work but inevitably the focus is on diagnosis, treatment and ‘next patient!’

“Unless you have experienced surgery or other debilitating treatments, support is too vague a description of what we need. It varies: reassurance, practicalities, ups and downs, what ifs, how do I, a shoulder to cry on etc.

“So, FORCE and others have a key role to play in keeping us all sane, with some sense of control and meeting our emotional needs while the NHS does the clinical stuff.”

Mark retired from the Forestry Commission nine years ago and has enjoyed a relaxed time since, walking, doing DIY, photography, gardening and cycling.

“I’m no road racer but I enjoy a good, leisurely ride. My brother-in-law has done the Nello a few times and enthuses about what a great, friendly event it is,” said Mark.

Challenge

“On a couple of rides with him we discussed it and I decided to give it a go. It’s a longer distance than I usually do so will be a bit of a challenge, which I felt I needed. Hopefully it will also help sustain FORCE.”

The Nello bike ride is FORCE’s single biggest annual fundraiser with cyclists from across Devon and around the country gearing up for the big day on Sunday June 28.

Since the first Nello Century Cycle Challenge in 2000, the ride has raised £1.5million for FORCE, which works locally to support anyone affected by cancer, free of charge, face to face and close to home.

FORCE offers practical, physical, emotional and psychological support at its main centre in Exeter and at community hospitals and health centres in Tiverton, Okehampton, Ottery St Mary and Cullompton.

They have set a target of raising £127,500 from Nello 2026 to meet the increasing demand for its unique services in the coming year as more and more people are receiving a cancer diagnosis and thankfully living longer after treatment.

Around 1,000 cyclists on all sorts of bikes from including e-bikes are expected to line up for the start of this year’s event at Topsham Rugby Club, ready to tackle 60 or 100 miles through beautiful Devon countryside and a small part of Somerset.

The Nello is not a race. It’s not chip timed. Cyclists ride in support of cancer patients and their families and many of the riders – like Mark – have personal reasons for taking part.