A local man from Bude will be taking on the Deloitte Ride Across Britain cycle race in September, raising funds for his daughter who has Leukaemia.

Thirty-nine-year-old Nick Swan will be taking part in the Deloitte Ride across Britain in September 2019, cycling 980 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise much needed funds for CLIC Sargent, a charity offering support to families and young people through their cancer diagnosis, treatment and after.

Nick explained the reason for wanting to support this charity in particular. He said: “Our eldest daughter Isabel was diagnosed with leukaemia in May 2017. She was only three at the time. Clic Sargent have been a massive support to our family in getting through Isabel’s treatment. As a family we want to raise as much money for CLIC Sargent so they can continue their amazing work supporting families like ours. Twelve children or young people get diagnosed with cancer each day so the work and support they do is crucial to so many families. I’ve currently set a target of £5,000, but I’m hoping to raise it to £9,800 — then it’ll be £10 for every mile!”

Nick was inspired to take on the challenge last year. He said: “I actually saw the 2018 riders coming into Okehampton last year while I was taking Isabel to one of her oncology appointments at Exeter hospital and that’s how I found out about the event. As soon as I looked it up online I knew I wanted to do it in 2019.” This is Nick’s first time competing in the Deloitte Ride Across Britain race and it has been a while since he last took to the bike in competition: “I did a bit of cycling in my teenage years, weekly training rides with the local cycling club and time trials in the summer. That was about 20 years ago though! I’m not thinking about a time, just hoping to complete it.”

Nick has begun his training and is preparing himself for the tough 980-mile challenge that he has ahead of him. He explained: “Bude and Cornwall is very hilly, so it is a good training ground, but tough for someone getting started in cycling again. I plan to do a number of sportive events leading up to RAB, including Dulux London and I do enjoy being out riding my bike so I am quietly confident. The winter training is definitely tough, I’m certainly looking forward to spring and summer training.”

The challenge takes place from September 7 to 15 and coincides with his daughter Isabel’s treatment end date, on August 19, so he is looking forward to his family’s support. He said: “They’ll definitely be there to see me start at Land’s End, but we haven’t sorted out logistics yet for John O’Groats.” He has also been receiving a lot of support online and from the Facebook community. He continued: “I am taking part by myself, but there is an active Facebook community around the event and I’ve virtually met a number of other people in the south west who are doing the event and we plan to get out on training rides together soon.”