Months of planning and thousands of kilometres of training are about to be put to the test, as the Rescue Warriors set off on their life-saving, across-country mission.
The Rescue Warriors – a group of 12 mid-Canterbury blokes – are cycling the length of New Zealand to raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. They launch their mission on 10 February 2026.
“It’s been a hell of a ride to get to this point, but we’re all itching to get to the start line and start peddling.”
Bruce Kell, one of the ‘original’ Rescue Warriors.
The Rescue Warriors was formed after Bruce’s wife bought a coffee table book about the inaugural 2016 Tour Aotearoa Brevet event. Bruce says he looked at it and thought “I’ll do that”. He mentioned his intent at a Hinds & Districts Lions Club meeting and went home with the names of three keen Lions club members. From there the Rescue Warriors were launched and a plan established to ride New Zealand’s 2022 Tour Aotearoa Brevet. The original Rescue Warriors are Bruce Kell, David Keeley, Warren Harris and Willy Leferink.
That Rescue Warriors ride in 2022 raised $100,000 for the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Four years on, the Rescue Warriors has tripled in size, with 12 riders committing to the 3,000 km challenge this year.
All funds raised will go towards MISSION 2026, the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust’s campaign to transform the rescue helicopter service. The cornerstone of MISSION 2026 is the purchase of replacement H145 helicopters to modernise the rescue helicopter fleet. Supported by investment in new technologies, equipment and specialist crew training, this upgrade will improve patient outcomes and save more lives.
“All of the Rescue Warriors have either been picked up by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter or know someone who has; it’s a vital link for our rural community. MISSION 2026 will transform the service so it can save more lives, more often, for generations to come. We’re proud to be doing our bit to help make that happen.”
Bruce Kell
Unfortunately, the Rescue Warriors are down to 11 riders and one ‘chief supporter’. Rescue Warrior Graham Thomas has been picked up twice by the rescue helicopter due to heart issues, but in 2025 doctors discovered he required major heart surgery.
“I’m gutted I’ve had to pull out because I know how important the rescue helicopter is for our community. I’ve had two life-saving rescue helicopter rides so I’m supporting as much as I can from the sidelines to give back to the service that saved me,” Thomas says.
The Rescue Warriors are split into two teams. Four riders are in Team Muscle, starting in Bluff and riding traditional push bikes. The other seven riders are in Team Live, starting in Cape Reinga and riding electric bikes.
While riding, they will be wearing their bespoke yellow and red Rescue Warriors riding tops, which have become a familiar sight around mid-Canterbury during their many training rides.
At 74 years of age, David Pedersen is the oldest Rescue Warrior, riding in Team Live. He started biking at the age of 71 following a suggestion from his physio.
David admits to being a little nervous, saying “I hope the team isn’t too grizzly if I hold them up.” However, he says he couldn’t think of a better group of guys to do it with.
“There’s amazing camaraderie between the Rescue Warrior crew and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter is a brilliant cause. It’ll be a great adventure, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Dave Pedersen, Rescue Warrior
Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust CEO Christine Prince says the Rescue Warriors are an inspiration.
“To have this group of rural blokes take on such a mammoth challenge for the rescue helicopter service is truly humbling. Since launching this ride, they have built momentum for MISSION 2026 across mid-Canterbury, raising not only an incredible amount of money but also bringing awareness to this life-saving service.
“We will be watching the Rescue Warriors ride every step of the way – we can’t thank them enough for taking on this challenge for our cause,” Prince says.
MISSION 2026’s transformation of the rescue helicopter service is currently underway. The Trust has purchased three state-of-the-art H145 rescue helicopters for the Canterbury West Coast region. The first was launched into service in December 2025. Two more helicopters are currently being commissioned.
“Seeing our first H145 take flight is incredible but there’s more work to do. We need to raise a further $600,000 to get the remaining helicopters commissioned and fully operational. The Rescue Warriors are helping us make that happen. Please support them, watch them when they go through your area and give them a wave or donate to them online.”
The 12 Rescue Warriors are:
Team Muscle: Bruce Kell; David Keeley; Willy Leferink; Mark Holmes
Team Live: Warren Harris; Bryan Beeston; David Pedersen; Richard Andrews; Graham Thomas; Mark Cressey; Duncan Barr; Brian Ellis.
Donate to the Rescue Warriors here.
To track the Rescue Warriors on their ride you can follow their Maprogress page here.
