Old Mill staff ride 200 miles in memory of colleague

Staff from Old Mill will ride 207 miles this summer in memory of Exeter employee Nick Baker, who sadly lost a short and sudden battle with cancer in August last year.

Starting on Saturday 8th July, 16 of Nick’s colleagues will begin a four day challenge which will see them ride from St Malo in France back to the Old Mill offices in Yeovil.

Day one will be a 44 mile ride from St Malo to Saint Michel and on day two, the riders will travel 66 miles to Lessay. On day three, they will ride 46 miles to Cherbourg where they will board the ferry back to Poole before completing the 51 miles back Yeovil on day four.

David Rice, who was a colleague and friend of Nick’s, is one of the organizers of the challenge in his memory. He said: “Nick was a true action man; he was a marathon runner, had completed John o’ Groats to Land’s End cycle challenge and also took part in the two previous Old Mill cycle rides to raise money for School in a Bag.

“He was a much-loved character and a great support during both rides, offering support, knowledge and advice whilst on two wheels and well in to the evenings on both challenges”.

“Losing him was a real shock, and it has been really difficult for everyone who worked with him. We all felt we wanted to do something in his memory, and a ride together just seemed like the perfect idea.”

The Nick Baker Memorial Ride will be raising money for two charities; School in a Bag - which sends rucksacks filled with stationery, learning resources and eating utensils to poor, orphan, disadvantaged and disaster affected children around the world - and Marie Curie, who provide care and support to people and their families with a terminal illness.

Marie Curie was chosen by Nick’s parents, while School in a Bag – which also has two riders taking part in the challenge - has been one of Old Mill’s nominated charities for many years.

The money raised - around £12,000 so far - will be split 50/50 between the two charities. If you would like to donate, please visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/nickbakerOM

David adds: “Our charity cycle rides have proved to be really successful in the past; the previous two raised more than £22,500 for School in a Bag – so please help us to support these two worthy charities as we celebrate and remember the life of our work colleague and a true champion of our ‘peloton’ Nick Baker.”