SHE completed a 350-mile cycle ride despite suffering terrible injuries during the Iraq war and having her modified bike stolen days before the event.
Former corporal Claire Edwards was devastated when her specially modified bike was taken from her shed last month as she prepared for the fundraiser, organised by forces' charity Help For Heroes, from Belgium to France.
Despite the setback, Miss Edwards, 40, of Kirklands Road, off Spring Bank West, west Hull, showed she is made of strong stuff and completed the ride on a borrowed bike, raising £1,500 for other injured service personnel.
To top off her turned fortunes, she was reunited with her KMX Kart yesterday and learned the thief had been caught.
Miss Edwards, who collected the bike from Clough Road Police Station in west Hull, said: "I am really pleased to have it back."
Big Battlefield Bike Ride 2014 saw 1,100 veterans cycle 350 miles from Brussels to Paris in five days, before a final sprint through the streets of London to a hero's welcome.
Miss Edwards said: "When the bike was stolen, I rang KMX Karts and asked if they could loan me a bike so I could still take part in the ride.
"They ended up building an exact replica of my bike. A Help For Heroes volunteer then collected it and ensured it got to Brussels. I am so grateful to them."
Miss Edwards suffered a smashed pelvis and damage to her sciatic nerve in an incident in Basra, southern Iraq, in 2007.
Following intensive treatment at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court in Surrey, she was medically discharged from the Royal Corps of Signals after 18 years' service.
Miss Edwards said: "The ride was tough, both physically and mentally. It was pretty warm for most of it, which made it even harder."
Unfortunately, Miss Edwards's recovered bike has been damaged, but she is hopeful it can be repaired.
"The handle bars have been bent," she said. "There is also some damage to the sprockets. The person who had it has obviously not looked after it very well. It's possible it will cost up to £1,000 to put right the damage."
Jamie Clarkson, 22, of Brixham Court, Hull, was arrested on suspicion of the burglary.
Officers later charged him with theft of a pedal cycle, burglary at a dwelling and theft and receiving stolen goods.
Clarkson pleaded guilty to all three charges at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday and has been remanded in custody for sentencing on Wednesday, July 9.
It has emerged Miss Edwards had the bike security marked, with details posted on www.immobilise.com, by Bob's Bikes in Beverley Road.
Stuart Woodmansey, of the cycle shop, said: "I am delighted she has got her kart back, as she was devastated following the theft.
"The police response was excellent with the stolen cycle being recovered quickly and it really shows the value of www.immobilise.com in identifying stolen property."
Detective Sergeant Wes Connolly said: "Cycle stores have embraced the opportunity to register their customers' cycles onto www.immobilise.com and this is already having a positive effect.
"I hope this incident will act as a deterrent to other people stealing cycles or other property as www.immobilise.com can, and will, be used to link them to crimes."
