A charity set up to offer people with disabilities the chance to take part in competitive sport today issued an urgent plea for volunteers.

The Bradford Sport and Recreation Association for People with Disabilities (BSRAPD) has helped some of the district's most talented sportsmen and women test their mettle in championships at home and abroad - but the group is now in desperate need of more coaches.

Sports development officer Robert Cooper said BSRAPD athletes were already in training for the Special Olympic World Games in Shanghai in 2007. He said: "We have got 15 athletes who want to go and are now in the qualifying stages, but we are in desperate need for volunteers, especially people with coaching and driving skills.

"We could offer much more if we had more volunteers."

BSRAPD plan to launch a disabled sports academy in the city within the next couple of years, and are in the process of applying for lottery funding.

The academy would see members given one-to-one advice by top, professional coaches at locations across the district.

Mr Cooper added: "The aim with the academy is to bridge the gap between sporting opportunities offered to disabled young people at school and those available to them as adults. If we get the go-ahead, it will enable us to take a big step forward."

Around 300 BSRAPD members participate in sports including athletics, swimming, netball, badminton, bowls, golf and power-lifting to a world-class level.

Mr Cooper added: "We can offer such sports but we are very, very limited and cannot give one-to-one care because of the lack of volunteers.

"People who need support can come along if they have a parent or carer, but we recognise there remains a large population within the district who are not receiving help with physical activities or sport.

"We are in desperate need for more

volunteers."

Councillor David Ward (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley), a long-term supporter of BSRAPD, encouraged potential volunteers to get involved.

He said: "The group gives people of all ages some fantastic opportunities to improve their lives.

"I think anyone who got involved as a volunteer would reap some fantastic benefits too."

BSRAPD, largely funded by Bradford Council, meets each Monday at the Richard Dunn Sports Centre and every Wednesday at Keighley Leisure Centre, from 7-9pm. Contact (01274) 437093 to find out more.