FOUR heroic employees of Crediton firm Ernest Jackson took on a 200-mile cycle ride from Birmingham to Crediton to help raise money for Hospiscare and to celebrate Ernest Jackson’s 200-year birthday in 2017, arriving back in Crediton on Friday, August 4.

The cycle ride started at the home of Cadbury in Bournville on Wednesday, August 2, where the cyclists were cheered off by colleagues into less-than-lovely August weather.

The team of Mark Rice, Andrew Stubbs, Mark Bowen and Tom Conroy, brilliantly supported by Jon Woodrow, then travelled down through Hereford and Gloucestershire battling wind and rain as they crossed the Severn Bridge before arriving into the West Country.

Cheered on by strangers across the route, the team then traversed Clifton Suspension Bridge on Thursday as they hit the Somerset border and some brutal headwinds.

Tom Conroy from the team commented: “Some of the best bits were the fast descent into Cheddar Gorge – despite the flat tyre halfway down - and the amazing generosity of strangers everywhere we went. It was a real cycle challenge with a difference and a great group of guys raising money for a fantastic cause in Hospicare.”

Despite the best attempts of the sat nav, the team found their way to the awaiting welcoming party of “20 milers” at The Ruffwell Inn, Thorverton on Friday morning.

Kindly energised with tea and biscuits by the team there, the fleet of cyclists set off across the Mid Devon countryside, some even on tandems donated by The Bike Shed.

The final leg took the group around Shobrooke Park and along the High Street in Crediton where a crowd greeted the team home.

Mark Bowen added: “A massive ‘thank you’ to everyone who supported us and the unbelievable welcome home from all our co-workers.”

The cyclists would love to reach their £1,000 target in donations to help support Hospiscare, asking if anyone could donate to please take any cash donations to Reception at Ernest Jackson’s High Street office, or visit the website: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ernest-jackson-crediton .

With a heritage dating back to 1817, Ernest Jackson has 200 years’ experience and expertise in developing, manufacturing and marketing medicated confectionery and vitamin pastilles. The firm offers a wide range of well-known branded products, including “Bassetts Vitamins”, “Potter’s” and “Victory V”.

Alan Quick