A RAPTUROUS round of applause saw four Hampshire police officers off on an epic journey across America to help children with special needs.

A crowd of more than 100 family, friends, colleagues and supporters gathered at Portchester Castle to watch Fareham inspector Simon Wrigglesworth, Insp Paul Rowsell from Gosport and cycling beat bobbies PC Nick Morgan of Portchester and PC Alan Hockley from Milton in Portsmouth embark on the British Bobbies Challenge.

The team waved their goodbyes as they cycled away for the first of 4,000 miles over deserts, mountain ranges and plains in a bid to raise £25,000 for Fareham's Rainbow Centre for children with cerebral palsy.

The four have all saved up holiday and taken unpaid leave to fly from London to San Francisco and cycle 80 to 100 miles a day six days a week for seven weeks towards Port Chester near New York.

They are due to arrive there on October 23 in time to be reunited with their families who are flying to New York for the half-term holiday.

Regional Lions chairman Pat Nixon has contacted Lions clubs along the way to give their support.

The send-off was also attended by the Mayor of Fareham Councillor David Swanbrow, Hampshire Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan and staff and users from the Rainbow Centre. Helen Somerset-How, from the centre, said: "I'm just so indebted to these guys. I wish them all the very best success for the trip and can't thank them enough."

The total banked so far is £6,200.

To donate cash or simply keep up to date with their progress click on www.rainbowride.org