A COUPLE who met on a charity bike ride two years ago have just welcomed their first child.

Cyclist Roland Wainwright and volunteer Tracy Sanders first met over bananas and bottled water at the Tiverton Rugby Club in 2014.

Tracy Sanders had been working as a volunteer for the FORCE cancer charity's Nello bike ride .

She said: "I’ve been helping with the FORCE bike ride for the past seven years and I was always joking that maybe I could find myself a nice cyclist"

Miss Sanders was helping with the clear up when three back-markers on the 55-mile ride showed up.

Roland, and his friends Phil and Suzanne Cook had troubles with a snapped bike chain, before carrying on to finish the remaining 37 miles.

Tracy was there to meet the trio when they finished the ride at Topsham Rugby Club.

Mr Wainwright said: "I went to fetch three pints of cider - unfortunately I didn’t even have enough money to buy Tracy a drink.

"The rest, as they say, is history.

"Tracy and I have been together ever since and just a short while ago became parents to Bailey Simon John Sanders-Wainwright. I am delighted to say that without FORCE and The Nello, Tracy and I would never have met and Bailey would not be here.”

The shop manager for Exeter Leukaemia Fund in Tiverton started volunteering for FORCE after her mother was successful treated for bowel cancer nine years ago.

Miss Sanders added: "She spent a lot of time at FORCE and they helped the whole family and her through a very rough time.

"I wanted to give something back to say thank you. As a family and with the help of friends we have held eight charity balls and we are about to hold our ninth one on September 24 at Tiverton Rugby Club. Over that time we have raised more than £5,000 for FORCE.”

Head of fundraising for FORCE, Sarah Daniels, said: "It is good to see the heart of fundraising in the community really working!

"Tracy and Roland have been superb supporters of the Nello and we are hoping that baby Bailey will be able to enjoy his first Nello on June 26th as our youngest volunteer."

Spaces are still available to sign up for the Nello race. Visit the FORCE cancer charity website for details.