A FORMER Keighley mayor is giving local athletes a £2,315 send-off to the Special Olympics National Games.

Keighley town councillor Shabir Ahmed raised the cash during his year of office to help pay the £19,000 competition costs of Keighley and Bradford athletes.

He handed the money to the athletes this week just days before they were due to travel to Sheffield to compete in a range of sports.

More than 20 people with learning disabilities living in the Keighley area are taking part in the National Games, which are held every four years.

They are part of a contingent from Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure (BDSL) who are members of the Yorkshire and Humberside team taking on more than 2,000 athletes from across the UK.

Cllr Ahmed chose BDSL as his official charity during his year of office, taking part in a sponsored bike ride, hosting a dinner at Azeems restaurant in Keighley and joining a fundraising line-dance.

He this week paid tribute to friends, family members, and workmates at the Transdev Keighley Bus Company, for helping him raise the money during the year.

Cllr Ahmed also acknowledged donations from local companies Howdens Joinery, De Cafe and Azeems, as well as sponsorship by drivers at Oxford Taxis. Friends and family donated £1,000 alone.

He added: “I’d like to wish the athletes all the best. I hope to go down to the Special Olympics to watch them.”

During his time in office Cllr Ahmed visited BDSL athletes at their summer camp in Keighley.

Barry Thorne, the BDSL funding officer and Cllr Ahmed’s colleague on Keighley Town Council, thanked him for his fundraising efforts.

Cllr Ahmed chose BDSL to benefit from his year’s fundraising because two of its athletes went to Keighley Town Council in 2013 to show medals they won in that year’s National Games.

The Special Olympics National Games run from Monday to Saturday, August 7 to 12, at various locations around Sheffield, with sports including football, basketball, aquatics, cycling, athletics, boccia, 10-pin bowling, golf, equestrian, powerlifting and bowls.

Team Bradford will be accompanied by voluntary coaches, with four from Keighley. BDSL had to raise £19,000 for essentials such as transport, accommodation and kits.

The local athletes have qualified after taking part in regional competitions over the past three years and attending regular training sessions in Keighley and Bradford.

BDSL spokesman Dean Carroll said: “They become heroes across Bradford district and create a sense of pride and achievement for disabled people and the wider community.”