Disabled Keighley athletes heading to the Special Olympics could show off their medals to local politicians.

They have pledged to visit Keighley Area Committee if they are successful in this summer’s games in Leicester.

The pledge was made last week as the team thanked members for giving cash support.

The committee, part of Bradford Council, has given £5,000 to support the athletes’ trip.

Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure is raising £30,000 to send a team from across the district. These include 16 athletes and five coaches from Keighley, twice as many as went to the last national Special Olympics.

BDSL funding officer Barry Thorne told councillors about the group’s many activities in the Keighley area.

A junior Paralympics club meets at Greenhead High School with almost 20 active members, aged from 10 to 15.

Mr Thorne said: “We hope we can enter someone in the 2012 Olympics, if not other competitions. As far as we understand, this is the only multi-sports club in the region.”

A senior sports academy, also at Greenhead, will send some members to the games in Leicester.

Wednesday sports sessions at Keighley Leisure Centre attract about 60 members, aged 15 and above. And a Monday pool and table tennis club at the Temple Row Centre has around 30 members, aged 20 and above.

Some of the group’s power lifters train at the newly-opened Olympik Dream Centre, in Cross Hills.

Mr Thorne said the Paralympics club would raise money to cope with demand and pay the cost of adapted equipment.

He said there was a need for carers to discuss their problems, work with each other and learn from each other’s experiences.

He said: “This is easier without the experts. The need is for meeting space and maybe a facilitator.”

Mr Thorne suggested the area committee held an event or “away day” with workshops for parents, carers, volunteers and disabled people. He said: “This would help some not feel isolated, which is often the case for new carers, parents and siblings.”