Ashfords Solicitors - 'Tour d'Ashfords' -- cycling solicitors to pedal 560 miles in one day for

The intrepid group, who are all partners in the law firm, have chosen the second longest day of the year to cycle the challenging 140 miles from Bristol to Plymouth on Friday, 20 June.

An early start from Bristol will see keen cyclists Tim Heal, Michael Alden, Antony Lee and Andrew Smith undertake their marathon run, calling in at Ashfords' other offices en route in Taunton, Tiverton and Exeter before finally arriving some 12 hours later in Plymouth.

The idea for the sponsored cycle ride was prompted after Ashfords lost popular colleague Mike Gosney to cancer earlier this year, and so his widow Mary, also an employee, and the firm chose FORCE as their "Charity of the Year".

Ashfords staff are now fund raising to support FORCE which assists those directly and indirectly affected by cancer by funding improvements in patient care through research and the purchase of advanced equipment, plus the charity's new Information and Support Centre, conveniently located in the grounds of the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

But the four riders will not be alone in their 'Tour d'Ashfords' as they will be joined and supported en route by other colleagues on cycles from each of the five offices in the region in Bristol, Taunton, Tiverton, Exeter and Plymouth.

And to show his own personal commitment to the cause, the support vehicle carrying spare bikes, tyres and puncture repair equipment, plus food and drink, will be driven by the firm's Chief Executive Ian Daniells.

Ashfords Chief Executive Ian Daniells said: "After Mike Gosney's sad death earlier this year, we all wanted to raise money for local cancer charity FORCE and a sponsored cycle ride seemed an ideal way to do it.

"Riding a bike for 140 miles in just one day is a going to be a tough challenge for our four partners who have volunteered and involves a lot of preparation, so I hope that as many people as possible will show their support by sponsoring the team and raising money for FORCE."

As part of the team's training for the ride, all four members took part in the Dartmoor Classic event on Sunday 11 May, completing an exhausting 100-mile course with over 11,000 feet of climbing. All four team members are confident they will achieve the 140-mile ride which they hope will raise at least £5,000.

The support for the 'Tour d'Ashfords' across the 500-staff firm has been very strong with eight other riders volunteering to ride on different legs in order to keep the four main riders company and generate even more money for FORCE.

From the Bristol office, Will Hull will be riding south to Exeter; from the Taunton office, Courtney Vale will be riding to Exeter and maybe all the way to Plymouth; from the Tiverton office, Stephen Walker will ride from Bristol to Tiverton; from the Exeter office, Paul Goffron will ride from Bristol to Exeter and Rachel Short and Andrew Rothwell will pedal from Exeter to Plymouth; and from the Plymouth office, Charles Hattersley and Will McKenzie will cycle from Exeter back to Plymouth.

Ashfords partner Tim Heal, one of the four cycling solicitors doing the whole run from Bristol to Plymouth comments:

"We all wanted to do something in memory of Mike Gosney, so a sponsored cycle ride, including all of our offices and in aid of cancer charity FORCE, was an ideal way of involving everyone in the firm and raising money for a very good cause.

"The four of us have been training hard and the support from the firm has been great. After completing the recent Dartmoor Classic ride, we're all raring to go and hope we can raise a significant sum for FORCE."

The Bristol to Exeter ride also coincides with National Bike Week which Ashfords is also supporting locally via Devon County Council's efforts to promote and encourage people to ride bicycles for pleasure, fitness and as an alternative method of commuting.

Ashfords is sponsoring 'Cycle Sunday' on Sunday 22 June and all funds raised during that event will also be donated to FORCE.

A team of 10, including six staff from Ashfords, also successfully completed the gruelling 'Three Peaks Challenge' recently in aid of FORCE, climbing the three highest mountains in the British Isles, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pyke and Snowdon in 24 hours.

The team raised over £1,600 for FORCE and comprised: Brian Farrell, Martin Hill, Karen Longhurst, Louise Bailey, Chris Hayball, Anna Hill, Hugo Davies, Sandy Nightingale, Steve Keane, Bob Strickland and Bruno the dog, a non-participating team member!

The climbers started the event at 05:40am on Saturday, 10 May at the foot of a snow-capped Ben Nevis in Scotland and then moved South onto Scafell Pike in the Lake District.

Over a gruelling 23 hrs, they completed the challenge at 04:40 the following morning with an overnight climb of the infamous "Knife Edge" on Snowdon.

FORCE Chief Executive Meriel Fishwick said: "It's very pleasing that Ashfords have chosen to back a local charity. Our Exeter support centre sees around 250 visitors a week and any funds raised will directly contribute to the wide range of services we provide for cancer patients and their families.

"We would like to wish all the cyclists the very best of luck and a safe ride and congratulate and thank the Three Peaks Team for their recent efforts."

Anyone who wishes to find out more about the work of FORCE and would like to sponsor the Ashfords team on their Bristol to Plymouth cycle ride can give on-line at www.justgiving.com/ashfordsbikeride.

Alternatively, people can send cheques made payable to "FORCE" to Katherine Wood at Ashfords Solicitors, Ashford House, Grenadier Road, Exeter, EX1 3LH.

'Tour d'Ashfords' -- cycling solicitors to pedal 560 miles in one day for

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