FORCE Nello cycle ride has big target for 2026
Around 1,000 cyclists are gearing up for one of the region’s most popular charity cycle events with a mission to support more Devon families affected by cancer.
FORCE Cancer Charity’s Nello ride is on Sunday June 28, starting and finishing at Topsham Rugby Club.
It has raised around £1.5 million since it was established in memory of Topsham restaurateur Nello Ghezzo in 2000.
That money supports people across the county – patients and their loved ones – dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
More and more people are being diagnosed with cancer every year and that means a growing demand for support from FORCE.
“We expect to see an extra 150 people affected by cancer in 2026,” said FORCE’s Nello organiser Chloe Richardson.
“It costs an average of £850 to support each person on their cancer journey.
“FORCE provides a wide range of free services including specialist information and advice, counselling, complementary therapies, advice on keeping active, support with hair loss, benefits advice, relaxation and mindfulness courses, art groups and programmes to help people move on after treatment or cope with cancers that can’t be cured.
“We don’t receive any Government or NHS funding so we rely on events like The Nello to survive.
“To care for 150 more people, we need to raise an extra £127,500.
“And we believe our Nello cyclists are the very people we can rely on to rise to that challenge!”
Nello cyclists will tackle 100 or 60 miles around the Devon countryside – the longer route also takes in part of Somerset.
It is not a sportive – there’s no chip timing and the riders aren’t racing but taking part to support the work of a charity that helps thousands of people every year and survives only on fundraising and voluntary donations.
“We’re encouraging our amazing cyclists to make every pedal count by getting sponsorship if they can,” said Chloe.
“It could mean hundreds more counselling appointments or complementary therapy sessions, additional support groups, more wig-fitting sessions, extra physio and exercise guidance, increased services at our outreach locations in Ottery St Mary, Okehampton, Tiverton and Cullompton.”
Bike Shed, which has stores in Exeter city centre, Sowton, Crediton and Barnstaple, provide sponsorship and all the technical support that make the event possible.
Their expert crews will be at Topsham for pre-ride checks and out on the course to support cyclists throughout the ride.
“There’s always a fantastic atmosphere and we’re inviting everyone to come along and celebrate this special event with our cyclists, their friends and families,” said Chloe.
There’s still time to sign up. To secure your place, go to https://forcecancercharity.co.uk/nello/
What some of the riders say
Hannah Stott will be riding the 60-mile Nello to thank FORCE for the support her family has received after dad, Mark, discovered he had stomach cancer In February and three weeks later had his stomach removed.
“The support from FORCE has been much more personal, helping to address the elements of diagnosis and treatment that the NHS isn’t able to – like emotional support, longer term recovery through physio and a community of people experiencing similar things. The NHS did an incredible job diagnosing and treating the main issue, but FORCE is now able to help with what comes after.”
Joe and Laura Baker turned to FORCE when she received a second breast cancer diagnosis in two years in 2024. Joe will be on the Nello start line and said: “FORCE has helped us to navigate the unknown by providing information that we might not have found on our own. While Laura has benefited from the practical and emotional support of specialists, she particularly values the quiet, welcoming space that the FORCE volunteers offer at the Centre when she’s anxiously waiting for scans. When everything feels uncertain, worrying, overwhelming, FORCE is offering patients and their families warmth, understanding and a helping hand. Without them, we and thousands of other families across the area would struggle alone and that’s why I’m fundraising again for FORCE.”
In late 2024 young dad Guy Richardson was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a rare and highly aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects white blood cells. He’s ridden The Nello before but this time it’s especially significant after FORCE helped him find a new normal and not to feel alone during his cancer journey.
“I was referred to some gym sessions after my treatment to get me moving again and I found the support groups extremely helpful, especially with managing my anxiety which I struggled so much with. Having a young family, the impact of the diagnosis was bigger than I expected. FORCE offered counselling, which makes a huge difference and provided me with lots of tips and ways of managing life with the children through the treatment and recovery. Having ridden The Nello in the past as well as the FORCE Autumn Series rides, I knew of FORCE and the work they did but I never thought I would be the other side of it all. I was extremely grateful for the support they provide. The NHS did an incredible job throughout my treatment with the medical side of it all and FORCE where there for the personal and mental support, which I needed more than I thought.”
Julia Thould from Tiverton is taking part with husband, Colin, just over two years after a diagnosis of breast cancer. FORCE supported her throughout her treatment and beyond and she’s riding as a thank you.
“Having the goal of taking part in The Nello is such a huge motivator for me. Being fit, healthy and maintaining a sensible weight can reduce the risk of recurrence and that’s something I can take control of. I’ll be doing The Nello on an e-bike as economically as I can. I hate it when people say that’s cheating because it really isn’t. When I’ve cycled 40 miles on it, I’m a sweaty mess! They’re heavy – the weight of a small car – and you still have to pedal! Raising money for FORCE is the least I can do. The wonderful work the charity does is beyond measure to patients and their loved ones navigating their way through the maze that is cancer, its treatment and everything that goes with it. I am happy and proud to be taking part in The Nello this year and I cannot wait!”
Nello route details
The ride starts at Topsham Rugby Club and heads to Tiverton via Poltimore and Ellerhayes, joining the A396 at the Ruffwell Inn.
There’s a refreshment stop at Tiverton Rugby Club, where the routes splits.
Cyclists on the 100 mile ride move on to Dulverton via Exebridge, then up on to Exmoor via the B3223, refreshments at Comers Gate and on through Simonsbath to South Molton.
There’s a food stop at Quince Honey Farm on the edge of South Molton and the course then takes riders to Morchard Road via the B3226 and A377.
The 60-milers leave Tiverton via Long Drag and pedal across country through Withleigh, Nomansland, where there are refreshments available at the cricket club, Black Dog, Brownstone and Morchard Bishop.
The routes converge at Morchard Road where there’s the chance for a final boost of energy from a wide selection of food and drink before the final stretch to the finish back at Topsham.
The ride avoids the centre of Crediton, taking the lanes around Shobrooke, Efford and Shute, re-joining the A377 near Cowley Bridge and returns through Exeter.
The event starts at 8am and finishes by 6pm. The cyclists are clear of the Exeter area by around 9am and most return between midday and 4pm.
