AN exhibition exploring the history of the Paralympic Games and disability sports is coming to Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford.

The official opening takes place at the Bradford Council-run civic art gallery tomorrow from 1pm to 3pm and the exhibition runs until June 9.

The opening event will feature a welcome from Nigel Purse, Chairman of the National Paralympic Heritage Trust.

There is the opportunity to meet with disability organisations from the area and talk to Paralympians and Special Olympic medal winners.

There will also be stories and memorabilia from para-athletes Peter Finbow, Stuart Meikle and David Stone MBE.

Mr Finbow is a Bradford-born multi-medal winning Paralympic wheelchair basketball player.

Mr Meikle, from Bingley, is a triathlon blade runner who won gold at the 2018 Triathlon World Cup and has been selected to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Mr Stone is a paracyclist who lives in Leeds and specialises in Road Race and Time Trial events, winning gold medals in events at both Paralympic and World Championship level.

Using a range of displays, memorabilia and art, visitors to the exhibition will learn about local and national Paralympians, all of whom have contributed to Paralympic heritage, including Lady Masham, whose ancestors funded the building of Cartwright Hall.

People can find out how it all began with the story of Professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann, who encouraged wounded veterans to play sport as an aid to rehabilitation from spinal injury, which led to the birth of the Paralympic movement.

Visitors can discover the sports of wheelchair basketball, cycling and goalball and find out how technology has evolved with one of the first running blades - named ‘The Cheetah’.

They will also be able to compare the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games with the 1964 Tokyo Games, the first city to host the Summer Paralympics twice.

The exhibition features posters from the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games by leading artists including Sarah Morris, Tracy Emin, Fiona Banner and Roberta Smith.

There are touch-and-feel exhibits of medals, torches, running blades and goalball kits.

The National Paralympic Heritage Trust is also proud to announce West Yorkshire artist Vickie Orton has been appointed as official artist in residence at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery.

For school resources please contact timcurtisartist@gmail.com. There will also be activity sheets for families and schools to use throughout the exhibition.

Maggie Pedley, Libraries, Museums and Galleries Manager at Bradford Council, said: “This exhibition aims to raise awareness of Paralympic heritage and disability activities and to inspire people to take up or support disability sport.

"The events planned offer fantastic opportunities for people to have a go at a wide variety of activities.

"This exhibition shows just how far we have come as a nation in supporting and celebrating disability sport.”

Mr Purse added: “Sports heritage has a wide appeal to the British public.

"With the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Bradford Council, we are able to bring the story of Ludwig Guttmann and the development of the Paralympic movement to Bradford.

For information about the exhibition and related events visit: www.bradfordmuseums.org

For information about the National Paralympic Heritage Trust visit www.paralympicheritage.org.uk or follow them on Facebook and Twitter using #Paraheritagestories.