Keighley 'golden girl' Katie Whittaker is training hard for the upcoming special olympics in the United States.

Katie, 20, who has Down's Syndrome, has been selected for the Great Britain powerlifting team for the games which will be held in North Carolina in June. She is already a British champion and lives with her parents Christine and Clifford Houston, in Alder Avenue, Long Lee.

A member of the Bradford Sport and Recreation Association for the Disabled, she is training under the watchful eye of Paul Royston and his team at the Workouts gym in Oakworth Road, Keighley.

Paul stepped in to help after the Keighley News launched an appeal for training facilities to help Katie prepare for the games. She attends Workouts twice a week and also trains at Armley Prison every Sunday.

"We have designed a programme which fits in with her work at Armley," says Paul. "She is an excellent example who shows desire and motivation in her work. She is also wonderful to work with. Through her dedication she also acts as a role model for both able-bodied and disabled people."

In August last year, the KN also launched an appeal to raise the £2,000 needed to get Katie to the special olympics. Substantial donations came from Keighley's National Lottery winners Phil and Susan Bowness and Stanbury's American Lord of the Manor Tom Lee. Keighley Area Panel also contributed, as did many individuals from across the district.

Meanwhile Keighley Cougars players helped to launch a revolutionary piece of equipment at the gym. The PRECOR EFX cross trainer is a no impact machine which will help with fitness and rehabilitation. Because it has no impact it will not put any additional stress on bones and muscles.

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