VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help with sports groups for Keighley people with learning disabilities.

Bradford Disability Sport & Leisure is recruiting new volunteers to help them with a diverse range of sessions across the district.

Funding officer Barry Thorne said: “We do many activities and need people who are interested in sports or social inclusion, as well as volunteer drivers and escorts for our three adapted minibuses.

“We do athletics, swimming, wheelchair rugby and football, ten-pin bowling and multi-sports for younger people. We also work with older adults in social activities.

“This work is very rewarding, and most people get a buzz out of helping, especially when our disabled athletes do well in competitions.”

In Keighley, BDSL runs weekly athletics and Sports Academy sessions at University Academy Keighley in Beechcliffe, as well as the long-established Wednesday Leisure Club, wheelchair rugby, pool and table tennis.

BDSL takes children and adults to compete in Special Olympics competitions at a regional, national and international level.

A disability football club is affiliated to BDSL, and the organisation also coordinates Go Out and Get Active sessions in Keighley.

Get Out Get Active offers opportunities for both disabled and non-disabled people across Keighley, including several weekly sessions.

These include seated exercise for women at Roshni Ghar; inclusive wheelchair rugby, tag rugby, and family ju-jitsu, yoga and kickboxing, all at University Academy Keighley; and table tennis, football and tai chi at the Sue Belcher Centre in Bracken Bank.

BDSL is heavily involved in training Keighley and Bradford athletes for the special Olympics at a regional, national and world level.

James Crossley from East Morton and Chris Woodhead from Haworth, brought back seven medals between them following their success in the powerlifting tournament In the 2016 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.

Farnhill figure skater Jenny Lee, 19, was part of the British team which competed in the Special Olympics World Winter Games last year in Austria.

And next year horse riders T-jay Wilson and James Reed Griffiths, who train at Haworth Riding for the disabled, will take part in the World Games in Abu Dhabi.

Email bsr1@btconnect.com or call Barry Thorne on 01274 437093 or mobile 07423 431629, for information on how to volunteer with BDSL.