Members of a fledgling wheelchair basketball team are to achieve their dream of taking part in a play-offs competition after people rallied to their appeal for funds.

One generous benefactor even sent a cheque for £1,000 so that the young players could try to win promotion in London later this month.

The eight-strong Bradford Bears junior team defied the odds by winning a place in the division three promotion play-offs in their first season. Their joy quickly turned to despair when the players, all aged under 21, learned there was not enough money in the club's coffers to send them to London.

However, following a story in the Telegraph & Argus, they have received enough offers of sponsorship to enable them to travel to the play-offs and help to keep them afloat for next season.

Team player Aurantzeb Ayub, 19, was overjoyed they would get their big break after all. He said: "We believe in ourselves and we know we can do well."

The team, which trains at the Richard Dunn Sports Centre in Odsal, took their division by surprise, winning nine out of 12 games, finishing second overall. They will travel to London on Saturday, May 10, for the play-offs over two days.

Today club secretary Paul Binks said: "It is quite amazing. One woman asked me how much we were trying to raise, then sent a cheque for £1,000."

The team will be wearing a £500 new kit, paid for by Action for Business (Bradford), which has also given £1,000 towards the London trip and is throwing a leaving party for them.