A KEIGHLEY man has spoken up for Europe as part of a national campaign warning of the loss of grant aid following Brexit.

Former Braithwaite Special School student Michael Roast wants the UK government to replace community grants that currently come from the EU.

His own club IMAS (International Mixed Ability Sports) has received EU funding to help get disabled people into sports.

Mr Roast, 35, features in the campaign #WhereWeStand run by the Best For Britain organisation.

The campaign highlights British people, projects and programmes that rely on European support and funding, and calls on the Government to replace the “significant levels” of cash currently provided.

IMAS provides sports opportunities to people who face barriers to participation. Mr Roast, who has a disability, attends weekly boxing sessions with Unorthobox, a partner organisation of IMAS, and he is keen to use his skills to coach other young people in the local area.

He said: “I have learned more about disability and equality, about what people can and cannot do. Now I am more active and support IMAS in training clubs and coaching to enable more inclusivity.

“I wanted to get involved in IMAS because it helps people to fulfil their potential in the community, learn new skills, have fun, and more important make people understand we are all equal.

“Without European support enabling this project, life would be incredibly worse for both myself and many others. IMAS really helps ensure people are able to be accepted because of our health conditions, disability, or differences.”

IMAS director Mark Goodwin said his organisation helped local sports clubs – including bowls, boxing, rugby and rowing clubs – become more inclusive and better reflect the communities in which they are based.

He said: “European support and funding has allowed us to not only serve the people of Bradford more efficiently, but also to expand the Mixed Ability model into other European countries and communities.”

Best For Britain claimed that the UK had received billions of pounds worth of investment since joining the EU, with almost 20 billion pounds invested since 2016 alone.

As part of the #WhereWeStand campaign, Michael’s face and story was projected onto buildings in various cities and near the Conservative Party conference.

Best for Britain chief executive Naomi Smith said: “Michael Roast is one of the heart-warming stories of lives changed through partnership and investment from Europe.”

“It’s important that voters get to hear how Europe stands with us, in our communities, across the length and breadth of the UK. This campaign will do that.”