National lottery millionaire Phil Bowness has proved that his heart is as big as his bank balance.

Keighley man Phil, who won £1.2 million in February, is paying for Katie Whitaker to take part in next year's Special Olympics in the United States.

Power-lifter Katie, who has Down's Syndrome, has been selected for the Great Britain team. Last week the Keighley News launched a £2,000 appeal to get her to North Carolina where the Games will take place.

Phil and his wife Susan, who know Katie and her family, saw our story and decided to help.

However, they do not want people to stop donating because anything left over will help Bradford Sport and Recreation Association for People with Disabilities (BSRAPD) to send Katie and her fellow local athletes to other major events.

Cash for Katie soon began to come in as a result of our story and will be used only to help her. Phil and Susan's donation will also help others. the cost of sending a team to a single competition in this country can reach £20,000.

Katie, who lives in Long Lee, took up power-lifting only five years ago and became British champion. The winner of numerous medals at events for disabled people, she recently gained a gold in a mainstream sports contest in Newcastle.

The donation by Phil and Susan will go towards the cost of training, team get-togethers and kit for the Special Olympics.

The couple will also be attending a BSRAPD charity dinner at Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford, next month to help boost association funds and Phil is to donate a national lottery ticket for auction.

He says many people have asked him to touch their tickets for good luck since his big Lottery win.

Of the donation to Katie's appeal, he says: "I am putting money in but I hope people will continue to contribute because others beside her will benefit. There are 30 to 40 other people waiting in the wings to get their opportunity and many are from Keighley.

"I was born and bred in Keighley and love my town. I'm happy here and I wanted to help someone local."

Phil and Susan have five children, one of whom, Frank, is disabled. "Disabled people are dear to my heart," he says. "When we read the story we decided our money could not go to anyone better."

Katie, a student at Craven College, Skipton, where she is following a course in independent living skills, also plays tenpin bowls and swims.

Her father Clifford Houston says few people knew that Katie was to represent Great Britain in the USA until the Keighley News told her story. He says the Bownesses' gift has been explained to Katie though he does not think she understands the significance. Of the donation he says: "It is a kind thing to do and so generous. I was gobsmacked and didn't know what to say."

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