FOUR Hampshire police officers who completed an epic 4,000-mile charity cycle trek across America were given a heroes' welcome when they returned to meet members of the Fareham charity they supported.
Applause from trustees, staff and parents of the Rainbow Centre greeted the arrival of Insp Simon Wrigglesworth from Fareham, Portchester cycling beat bobby PC Nick Morgan, Gosport's Insp Paul Rowsell and PC Alan Hockley, who cycles the Milton beat in Portsmouth, at the charity's annual
general meeting.
The team, dubbed "the Rainbow Riders", were there to hand over two more cheques for $1,250 - about £680 - from the Port Chester Fire Department and Port Chester Police Association to the charity which helps children with cerebral palsy.
Insp Wrigglesworth said: "Thanks to all in the UK and the USA who have encouraged us, assisted us, donated to the Rainbow Centre and in any way supported our efforts.
"We cannot express our gratitude enough."
The cheques make the running total raised during the ride from Portchester Castle near Fareham to Port Chester near New York, via San Francisco, about £10,000.
Helen Somerset-How, the Rainbow Centre's founder, gave a speech to express her gratitude to the team.
She said: "Fundraising activities are a huge effort from many people, but the Rainbow Riders have capped it all.
"They left their families on September 1 and it took seven weeks.
"They took all their holiday allocation, as well as unpaid leave, and pledged their own money to help us.
"They have achieved their goal, have returned safely and we have them with us tonight."
Regional Lions chairman Pat Nixon told the meeting about US Lions' brilliant efforts to support the Rainbow Riders during their journey.
Their trek from the west coast to the eastern seaboard took them across mountains, deserts and plains.
The team cycled up to 100 miles a day, six days a week for the duration of the mammoth trip.
Half-way through the ride they conquered the gruelling Monarch Pass two miles above sea level in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
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