Huddersfield's disabled swimmers are to star in the TV spotlight.
The swimmers from the Borough of Kirklees Disability Squad are to feature on the iconic children’s TV programme Blue Peter.
Camera crews and presenters were at the John Smith’s Stadium Pool yesterday to film the young stars in a training session.
And their efforts to give disabled people the chance to enjoy sport at a high level will be screened on Thursday.
The show is presented by Barney Harwood, Lindsey Russell and Radzi Chinyanganya.
The filming follows the news that the squad has been awarded £4,000 from the BBC’s Comic Relief fund to help develop even more projects.
The BOK Disability Squad was founded through Kirklees Active Leisure swimming lessons and is run by volunteers.
Gemma Hill-Wood, Ed Lim and Vicky Cuff are the coaches and the rest of the committee are parents who volunteer.
The squad started 15 years ago with just two swimmers and now has 14 competitive swimmers; three swimmers are on the GB Down Syndrome team and two swimmers are on the British Swimming Talent programme.
Some youngsters are also members of other swimming clubs such as Scissett Amateur Swimming Club. All swimmers swim as part of the KAL Swim Academy and attend a minimum of two sessions a week and a maximum of 12 sessions a week.
Swimmers in the squad have a range of disabilities including learning difficulties, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and others.
KAL spokesman Rhianne Cowman said: “Initially the team were successful to receive funding from local funding opportunity One Community. They were then supported by One Community to receive the funding from Comic Relief. Being successful in securing the £4,000 Comic Relief grant has opened up more opportunities for young people with disabilities, will help with team-building and training.
“It is amazing as it allows to support and develop our swimmers.
“The money will assist with further training opportunities, attending competitions, purchasing new equipment and much more”.
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