A team from Clinton Devon Estates is once again taking on the gruelling Nello Cycle Challenge to raise money for local cancer charity, FORCE (Friends of the Oncology and Radiotherapy Centre, Exeter).
The team’s preparations are now well underway for the 20th annual event taking place on Sunday, June 30th, starting and finishing in Topsham, involving either a 100-mile route via Exmoor or 55-mile circuit across Mid Devon.
The challenge began in 2000 in memory of Topsham resident and cycling enthusiast Nello Ghezzo who lost his life to cancer. The chosen routes favourites of Nello’s, offering challenging hills, exciting downhill sections and stunning scenery.
Participants and their donors have raised an incredible £900,000 for FORCE since the race began with organisers hoping to hit the impressive £1 million mark this year.
Clinton Devon Estates has supported the events since 2016 raising more £7,000.
Estates Director John Varley, who has been part of Team Clinton each year and will be taking on the 100-mile route once again, said: “Most of us know someone affected by cancer. It is good to do something which challenges you mentally and physically in order to encourage colleagues, family and friends to donate to help others affected directly or indirectly by one of life’s indiscriminate and sometimes devastating illnesses.
“It’s also a great team building event, even though soon after crossing the start line our Olympic fit team members pull away never to be seen again until the next day in the office…
“Cycling across Devon through some stunning countryside can really help clear the head, so the ride provides mental exercise as well as physical.
“As a company, we may even benefit from the reflections achieved from mindful cycling. Albert Einstein was a keen cyclist and, referring to his theory of relativity, said “I thought of that while riding my bicycle”, and he didn’t cycle for 100 miles over Exmoor. Imagine what ideas Team Clinton may bring back to the office after this year’s Nello!”
FORCE strives to improve patient care by assisting in the purchase of advanced equipment and funding for vital research at the University of Exeter Medical School.
If you would like to sponsor the team, please donate via their Virgin Money sponsorship page here and for more information about the event visit the FORCE website here.