VETERANS who suffered significant injuries in the course of their service have cycled the length of New Zealand - despite losing tens of thousands of pounds before the trip in an alleged crime.

The challenge, which was organised by New Milton-based charity Pilgrim Bandits, saw eighteen servicemen and women from the UK, Canada and New Zealand ride some 2,546km between Bluff and Cape Regina.

Those who participated were wounded during their time in the forces. Amputees and veterans with spinal injuries rode up to 160km every day on custom-made tandem bicycles with a hand-crank at the front and foot pedals at the rear.

Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, Britain’s most badly-injured serviceman, was among those on the trip.

Just two days before the team were due to fly out, organisers discovered some £81,000 paid for flights had allegedly been lost by a Kent-based travel agent and the air tickets had not been booked. The money had been paid weeks in advance.

Police in Kent have launched an investigation, although the company involved says “simple errors” are behind the incident.

Pilgrim Bandits had to use funds set aside for another trip next year to buy new tickets.

Superintendent Mike Rogers of Dorset Police volunteers for the charity. He joined the veterans in New Zealand.

“Around 36 hours before the event, we realised the airline tickets weren’t going to materialise,” he said.

“The organisers managed to source new tickets from their own expenses, but the shortfall was around £81,000, so it was a real shock.” It was a fantastic effort to get everyone there.”

The riders reached their destination after spending 21 days on the road.

One of their two rest days was spent in South Hokianga, where the veterans took part in Armistice Day commemorations and received a full Māori welcome at Whirinaki’s Matai Aranui Marae.

Supt Rogers said: “It was a great team effort, and the people of New Zealand were absolutely superb hosts.

“We felt very welcome.”

West End star Richard Siddaway will perform with the Dorset Police Male Voice Choir to raise money for the Pilgrim Bandits. The concert will take place at the Salvation Army in Palmerston Road, Boscombe on February 9 at 7pm.

For tickets, email Mick1850@hotmail.co.uk