A GENERAL Election hopeful has visited Otley Sailing Club to find out more about its work for people with disabilities.

Greg Mulholland, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Leeds North West, joined senior instructor and trustee Norman Stephens OBE for a Sailfree session.

The club first began providing sailing opportunities for disabled people and people with learning difficulties, under the Sailing for All banner, in 1989.

Its groundbreaking Sailfree programme, which relies on volunteers and sponsors, has gone from strength to strength - and in 2013 earned the club the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

That was followed in 2014 by a Duke of York Community Initiative Award.

Mr Mulholland said: "I was delighted to attend Otley Sailing Club and actually take part in the amazing work they are doing with young people with special needs and disabilities through Sailfree.

"It is hugely inspiring to watch the way that they work with young disabled people and the professional, caring attitude they have to every young person.

"You can see the freedom that the initiative gives to those who take part - going out on the boat is an experience that many of them won’t have had before and probably won’t have expected to.

"To see the smiles on the faces of those enjoying sailing is so powerful and I would urge those who might be interested in helping, by volunteering or sponsoring the programme, to also go along and see the work."

In 2015 the club used a £50,000 Sport England grant to upgrade its clubhouse, which included adding a new wheelchair accessible wet room, anti-slip floor and slope-free access path.

Mr Mulholland added: "Norman and the club deserve huge praise for this amazing work and I hope others will get involved."

Anyone interested in finding out more should ball Mr Stephens on (01943) 850391.