Cyclists set off to raise money for disabled leisure

The seven Bradford Council staff are raising money for the Bradford Disability Cycling Club which is part of Bradford Disability Sports and Leisure.

The charity gives disabled children, young people and adults the freedom to ride on specially-adapted vehicles.

The team of seven consist of Carla Sheldon, Dance for Life officer; Richard Tearle, immigration and asylum case manager; Ian Wood, grounds maintenance manager for Street Scene; John Coulton, sports facilities manager; Janet Gilbert, community care officer; Helena Romanowska, housing benefits review officer;, and James Coulton, events assistant, who is the youngest at 17 years old.

The team set off yesterday.

They are following a tradition which began in the 1980s and was revived in 2005 by John Coulton and Anthony Gill, who was a sports development officer in Bradford and is now a development officer for British cycling and a world champion track cyclist.

The cyclists will go to Hull and then across Holland to Arnhem and then to Hamm which will take three days to complete.

John Coulton said: "We have been training hard for this cycle ride since last November, completing about 70 miles together each week and we hope people will support us in raising money for this deserving cause."

Bradford Disability Sports and Leisure is an organisation providing sports for people with disabilities across the Bradford district. Its athletes take part in the Special Olympics. Last year the 57-strong team brought back 82 medals from the event in Leicester.

Money raised from previous charity rides has been used to set up a cycling club for people with disabilities in Lister Park.

People are invited to make a donation to the charity by visiting www.bradforddisabilitysports.co.uk