Fire crews hit £56k target for burns research unit

Firefighters raising money for a burns research unit set up following the Bradford City fire have hit their £56,000 target marking the tragedy's 40th anniversary.

The cash will go to the University of Bradford's Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit, created in the aftermath of the blaze at Valley Parade in 1985 which killed 56 football fans and left hundreds more injured.

A Bradford City Legends football match, a 75-mile walk from Lincoln to Bradford, and a fundraising dinner helped firefighters based at Bradford Fire Station reach their target.

Crew manager Mark Hayward said: "It's been a real team effort with so many people getting involved in all the challenges we have completed."

Bradford City were playing Lincoln City in their last home match of the season on 11 May 1985 when a fire ripped through the Valley Parade stadium with 11,000 fans watching.

The blaze led to the creation of the pioneering research unit in Bradford, which has since developed groundbreaking treatments for burns and scars.

Following the end of the fire service's "56for56" appeal raising funds for the unit, Mr Hayward praised people who had supported those taking part.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has donated," he said.

"The public have really got behind this campaign and we couldn't have done it without them."

Mr Hayward said one fundraising challenge - the walk from Lincoln to Bradford - stood out as "by far" the most difficult.

Meanwhile, he said the one he personally enjoyed the most was the Bradford City Legends match at Valley Parade, featuring former player and manager Stuart McCall and ex-skipper Gary Jones.

"To play against so many legends was brilliant," he said.

Prof Ajay Mahajan, director of Bradford University's Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit, praised those who had taken part in the fire service's challenge.

He said: "The feeling of personnel from one emergency service being there to support another emergency service showcases the same community support that has been there for the families of the 56, and those affected by the Bradford fire.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their continuing support.

"Thank you to everyone who has donated to our cause - and a huge thank you to the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for completing this gargantuan campaign."

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