PUPILS from Applefields and Joseph Rowntree Schools helped York finish third in the first Yorkshire finals of the Panathlon Challenge.

The event - a "mini Paralympics" for secondary school children - was held at the Energise Leisure Centre and involved 70 disabled schoolchildren from around the county going head-to-head.

The York team – the North Yorkshire champions - scored 40 points to finish behind winners Calderdale (52pts) and runners-up Kirklees (42pts). Rotherham (34pts) were fourth.

Barry Cornforth, a team leader at Joseph Rowntree’s Wiltshire Autistic Centre, said: “This was a big day for our pupils. They haven’t stopped talking about the games since they qualified by winning the North Yorkshire final last year.

“It is fantastic for them to get a day out and compete against other schools."

Caroline England, a teaching assistant at Applefields, reckoned the Panathlon Challenge was so much more than sport.

“It helps with all life skills," she said. "This is also a grassroots event where talent and ability can be spotted. It means a lot to our children.”

The young athletes also saw former Joseph Rowntree pupil Ben Robinson, 17, of Haxby receive the bronze medal he won for table tennis at the National Special Olympics in Crewe.

Five-times Paralympian Daniel West - a star of discus and shot - presented the medal.

Helping to make the day possible were volunteer leaders from York High School, who helped supervise the challenge.

Shannon Jarvis and Georgia Carter, who both play rugby, said they wanted to help pupils of all abilities play sport.

Panathlon has provided disabled children with the opportunity to take part in competitive sport since 1999, but it is only the first year for schools in South Yorkshire, and the second for those in West and North Yorkshire.

West Yorkshire was represented by two teams - Kirklees and Calderdale - with Calderdale having won their regional final last year. Rotherham progressed after finishing first in the South Yorkshire final and York qualified by winning the North Yorkshire final.

The multi-sports events, which include boccia, kurling, table cricket, polybat, field athletics and flat races, are part of an overall Panathlon programme which also includes swimming, Primary Panathlon (for primary school children) and PMLD (profound and multiple learning disability) days.