Staff from West of England accountancy firm Old Mill, which has offices in Melksham and Wells, are to take part in a four-day cycle challenge in memory of employee Nick Baker, who lost a short and sudden battle with cancer last year.
Sixteen of Nick’s colleagues will start the 207-mile trek tomorrow from St Malo in France back to the Old Mill office in Yeovil.
Nick, who was based at Old Mill’s Exeter office, took part in Old Mill’s two previous charity cycle challenges – in 2014 the team rode between its four offices and then the following year from Paris to Yeovil.
This weekend’s Nick Baker Memorial Ride will raise money for two charities; Yeovil-based 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, which provides 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.
David Rice, a colleague and friend of Nick’s, is one of the organisers of the challenge in his memory.
He said: “Nick was a true action man; he was a marathon runner, had completed the 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 money raised – around £12,000 so far – will be split 50/50 between the two charities. To donate visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/nickbakerOM
Pictured: The Old Mill team preparing to set out on their 2015 Paris-to-Yeovil cycl challenge with Nick Baker second from left
