FORCE Cancer Charity

What FORCE Cancer Charity does

FORCE Cancer Charity is an independent registered non-profit (charity no. 1140676) founded in 1987 and headquartered at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital in Exeter, UK. It provides free, face-to-face cancer support services to more than 2,000 local people annually across Devon, serving cancer patients, their families, and carers. The service portfolio includes one-to-one counselling, group support programmes (Moving Forward, Living with Non-Curable Cancer), complementary therapies, benefits advice, specialist oncology physiotherapy, exercise guidance, mindfulness and relaxation courses, a wig service, and bereavement support. FORCE also funds local cancer research and equipment at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School.

The charity operates a hub-and-spoke distribution model, anchored at the main Support and Information Centre in Exeter and extended through community hospital locations in Tiverton, Okehampton, Ottery St Mary, and Cullompton. There is no core technology platform — service delivery is human-led and in-person. Annual running costs stand at approximately £1.7 million, with an average cost of £850 per person supported on their cancer journey.

FORCE receives no regular NHS or government funding and is entirely reliant on five diversified income streams: individual donations, fundraising events (anchored by the Nello cycle ride, Great West Run, and Classics Galore! concert), an award-winning physical and online charity shop, grants and legacies, and corporate partnerships. Since inception the charity has spent more than £2 million on local research and equipment and more than £10 million on support services. Operations are supported by 11–50 employees and a substantial volunteer network, with revenue generation led by a Head of Income Generation and Event Fundraising team.

Name

FORCE Cancer Charity

Legal name

FORCE Cancer Charity

Website

https://forcecancercharity.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FORCE Cancer Charity is an independent Devon-based non-profit founded in 1987 providing free cancer support services including counselling, complementary therapies, benefits advice, and specialist physiotherapy to over 2,000 patients and families annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Support and Information Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Social Assistance (624), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)

Keywords

• Cancer support services
• Oncology counselling
• Cancer charity fundraising
• Complementary therapies
• Community cancer care

Headquarters

HQ city

Exeter

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from supporters in the Devon community, including one-off and recurring contributions.
2. Fundraising Events: Revenue from major annual events including The Nello cycle ride, Great West Run, and challenge events. Runners pay £20 registration with £90 fundraising target for Great West Run.
3. Charity Shop: Award-winning pre-loved shop in Exeter selling donated goods. Also operates online shop.
4. Grants and Legacies: Funding from charitable trusts, foundations, and legacy bequests. Received £290,000 in National Lottery funding. Legacies from supporters who leave gifts in their Will.
5. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with local businesses for fundraising support, employee giving programs, and event sponsorship.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FORCE Cancer Charity provides free face-to-face cancer support services in Devon, including counselling, complementary therapies, specialist oncology physiotherapy, benefits advice, group support, mindfulness, wig fittings, and bereavement support. It operates from a main Support Centre at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and outreach sites at community hospitals, with no charge to patients or families. The charity funds local cancer research and equipment, and is sustained through donations, fundraising events, grants, legacies, and an award-winning charity shop.

Product overview

FORCE Cancer Charity is an independent charity providing free cancer support services through a unified service model rather than a software product. The core offering is the Cancer Support and Information Centre in Exeter, which delivers services including counselling, group support, complementary therapies, benefits advice, specialist oncology physiotherapy, and exercise guidance. Additional services include mindfulness and relaxation programmes, a wig service, a podcast series, and an annual magazine (FORCE Matters). The charity also operates community outreach at local hospitals and funds local cancer research. Revenue-generating activities include an award-winning charity shop and signature fundraising events including The Nello cycle ride and Great West Run half marathon.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Nello: Annual cycle ride event, FORCE's largest annual fundraiser held on the final Sunday in June in memory of Nello Ghezzo. Routes of 55 or 100 miles through Devon countryside.
• Great West Run
• FORCE Matters Magazine

Products and services

• Support and Counselling One-to-one counselling sessions providing emotional and psychological support to cancer patients and their families, delivered free of charge by FORCE's oncology support specialists.
• Group Support Programmes Group support programmes including Moving Forward after treatment, Living with Non-Curable Cancer, and ongoing support groups, helping patients and families connect with others facing similar experiences.
• Complementary Therapies Wellness therapies such as massage provided to cancer patients to support wellbeing during and after treatment, available free of charge at the Support Centre.
• Benefits Advice Practical guidance on benefits and financial support available to cancer patients and their families, helping them navigate the welfare system during treatment.
• Specialist Oncology Physiotherapy and Exercise Guidance Specialist physiotherapy and exercise programmes for cancer patients, including gym referral, rehabilitation, and exercise classes at the Isca Centre, delivered by FORCE physiotherapists.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation Programmes Courses in mindfulness, relaxation techniques, yoga for cancer rehabilitation, and anxiety management, helping cancer patients manage stress and improve mental wellbeing.
• Pre-Loved Wig Service Free wig service for cancer patients experiencing hair loss, including wig fitting, providing both practical appearance support and emotional reassurance.
• Bereavement Support Support for families and carers coping with the death of a loved one from cancer, including bereavement counselling and information resources.
• Community Outreach at Community Hospitals Support appointments and FORCE nurse-delivered chemotherapy at Tiverton, Okehampton, Ottery St Mary and Cullompton community hospitals, expanding access to cancer support closer to where Devon patients live.
• FORCE Charity Shop (Online and Exeter Heavitree) Award-winning pre-loved retail shop operated by FORCE in Exeter Heavitree with an online shop presence, selling donated goods to generate income for the charity's services.
• The Nello Cycle Ride Annual fundraising cycling event held on the final Sunday in June in memory of Nello Ghezzo, offering 55-mile and 100-mile routes through the Devon countryside, with a 2026 fundraising target of £127,500.
• Great West Run (Team FORCE) Exeter's local half marathon and 10K event in which FORCE is the official charity partner; registration fee is £20 with a £90 minimum fundraising pledge, and Team FORCE raised £135,000+ at the 2026 event.
• FORCE Cancer Charity Podcast Audio podcast service featuring discussions about cancer support, with guests including staff, patients, carers, and healthcare professionals, distributed through major podcast platforms as a free listener offering.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 2,000 local people supported annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Global Adventure ChallengesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026British company specializing in charity expeditions partnering with FORCE for Great Wall of China trek challenge in October 2027.
• The ExeterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocally-based firm partnered with FORCE Cancer Charity for mutual benefit. Partnership involves corporate support and community engagement.
• Thomson ReutersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal business providing generous support to FORCE through employee giving and fundraising activities.
• Bike ShedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCycle shop with locations in Exeter, Sowton, Crediton, and Barnstaple. Provides mechanical and technical support for The Nello cycle ride, including signage, course support, and day-of assistance.
• KonkerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExeter-based recruitment agency that organized a charity padel tournament raising £900 for FORCE with 12 South West businesses participating.
• Jack in the GreenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAward-winning gastro pub in Rockbeare has raised thousands of pounds for FORCE through staff and landlord Paul Parnell's efforts.
• Topsham Rugby ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue for The Nello cycle ride start and finish. Provides facilities and support for the largest annual fundraiser.
• Royal Devon & Exeter HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain NHS partner where FORCE Support Centre is located and where charity funds equipment and research.
• University of Exeter Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for local cancer research programmes and the Dr Christopher Giles Rowland Bursary for young researchers.
• Rotary Club of Crediton BonifaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Rotary club provided catering for wedding fundraiser resulting in £4,200 donation to FORCE for ovarian cancer research.
• MorrisonsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonates hundreds of bananas for The Nello cycle ride refreshment stops.
• Quince Honey FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSouth Molton attraction provides refreshment stop for Nello cyclists on longer route.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Macmillan Cancer Support: The UK's largest cancer charity, providing financial, emotional, and practical support to cancer patients. Directly comparable to FORCE's mission and service mix, but operates at national scale with a much larger fundraising and volunteer infrastructure.
• Hospice UK: National charity representing and supporting hospice and palliative care providers. Adjacent to FORCE's cancer support work, particularly for patients with non-curable cancer, and competes for end-of-life care donations.
• Cancer Research UK: The world's largest independent cancer research and awareness charity. While primarily research-focused, it competes with FORCE for cancer-related donations and legacies in the UK donor pool.

Direct peers

• Maggie's Centres: Operates centres across the UK providing free emotional, practical, and social support to people with cancer. Closely mirrors FORCE's hub-based model of in-person support adjacent to NHS cancer treatment facilities.
• Marie Curie: Major UK charity providing care and support to people with terminal illness, including cancer. Overlaps with FORCE's 'Living with Non-Curable Cancer' programme and bereavement services, and competes for hospice/palliative donations.
• Young Lives vs Cancer (formerly CLIC Sargent): UK charity supporting children and young people with cancer, including family support and benefits advice. Comparable service mix and donor base to FORCE, but focused on a younger demographic.
• Sue Ryder: UK charity providing palliative and bereavement support, including hospice care and bereavement counselling. Comparable bereavement and palliative support offerings to FORCE's relevant service lines.
• Penny Brohn UK: UK charity providing free integrative care (nutrition, wellbeing, counselling, complementary therapies) to people affected by cancer. Very similar service model to FORCE, including in-person therapies and group programmes.
• Dimbleby Cancer Care: UK cancer support charity providing psycho-social support, complementary therapies, and welfare advice to patients and families. Highly comparable mission and service offering to FORCE.

Regional players

• Tenovus Cancer Care: Welsh cancer charity delivering support, counselling, and mobile chemotherapy services. Directly comparable to FORCE's combined support and community-hospital chemotherapy model, but operates in a different UK region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/forcecancer
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPlRidcKzq-cMw3G1uaOTqg/videos?shelf_id=0&sort=dd&view=0
• Facebookfacebook.com/FORCEcancercharity
• Instagraminstagram.com/charityforcecancer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FORCE Cancer Charity