Golden girl Katie Whitaker has been selected for the Great Britain team to take part in the 1999 special olympics.

Today the Keighley News launches a campaign to 'Get Katie to Carolina'.

We are backing the bid to raise the £2,000 she needs to get to the games in North Carolina in the USA next June.

Katie, 20, has been picked for the powerlifting team. She is already a British champion and lives with her parents, Christine and Clifford Houston, in Alder Avenue, Long Lee.

katie, who has Down's syndrome, took up the sport five years ago and since then has won 'loads of medals'.

Last year she walked off with four gold medals at the National Special Olympics in Portsmouth, beating off competition from over 2,000 athletes.

A member of the Bradford Sport and Recreation Association for the Disabled, katie attends the Wednes-day Leisure Group at Keighley Leisure Centre.

She has also been training on a Sunday morning at Armley jail in Leeds under the guidance of prison officers and prisoners. Her mum Christine says Katie is not worried by the surroundings in which she trains. "They have all been helpful," she says. "I don't think she realises why people are there. she just treats them as friends and training partners."

The Craven College student - she is doing a course in independent living skills - recently entered a mainstream competition in Newcastle and came away with the gold medal.

Katie also plays ten-pin bowling and swims the backstroke. She was selected for the Gateway national team for a competition in Switzer-land.

katie's efforts have already been recognised locally.

Keighley Area Panel co-ordinator Patrick Lawton says: "We are always looking to support young people and we are pleased to help. Katie has a lot of talent."

Lesley Ord, of Keighley Business Forum, says the Forum's investment in the Wednesday Leisure Group has proved to be a success. "She has put Keighley on the international map and we are all very proud of her," she says.

All money raised will go towards the cost of training, team get-togethers and kit.

Businessman and Keighley Coug-ars chairman Howard Carter says his company - sportswear manufacturer Cartasport - and the Cougars will try to help where possible. "We will do as much as we can," he says.

Malcolm Hoddy, editor of the Keighley News, says: "What great news for this town. We know there's a tremendous amount of sporting talent in this area bringing glory and honours to Keighley.

"Katie is a shining example and deserves our support. Readers have responded magnificently before and I feel sure we'll get a similar response."

Anyone who would like to make a donation to help send Katie to the Olympics should send it to Andy Parkin or Cllr Barry Thorne at BSRAPD, Shipley Town Hall, or ring (01274) 757093.

Young sports star paddles to

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