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BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Bradford 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 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 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 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 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 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." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
£56k raised for burns unit to mark anniversary of Bradford City fire
Firefighters have raised £56,000 for a burns unit to mark the 40th anniversary of the Bradford City fire. The funds, raised by firefighters from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), will support the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU), which is based at the University of Bradford. The PSBRU was founded by Professor David Sharpe (who was a consultant plastic surgeon in Bradford at the time of the tragedy) following the fire at Bradford City AFC's Valley Parade home ground on May 11, 1985, which claimed the lives of 56 people. Firefighters from WYFRS launched their fundraising campaign, called '56for56,' in February 2025. Funds have been raised through a variety of activities - including a football match between Bradford Fire Station and a Bradford City Legends team (featuring Stuart McCall and Gary Jones), which raised £6,946. Other fundraising activities included a black-tie dinner, with former Bradford City striker Dean Windass as guest speaker, and a 75-mile walk from Sincil Bank in Lincoln to the University of Bradford Stadium. WYFRS crew members were joined on the walk by firefighters from Lincoln South Fire Station - and they arrived at their destination in time for Bradford City's 2-0 home win over Crewe Alexandra. Additional funds have been raised through bucket collections and a Bradford Fire Station open day. Extra funds for the appeal will be spread across the Bradford City Community Foundation and the Firefighters Charity. Mark Hayward, crew manager at Bradford Fire Station and one of the organisers of 56for56, said: "We're thrilled to have reached the target and raised £56,000 for the PSBRU. "It's been a real team effort, with so many people getting involved in all the challenges we have completed. "The hardest one by far was the walk from Lincoln – and the one I enjoyed most was the football match at Valley Parade. "To play against so many legends was brilliant." Professor Ajay L Mahajan, director of the PSBRU, added: "It was very touching when the WYFRS approached me about their wish to do the 56for56 campaign - it was so apt for the 40th anniversary of the Bradford fire. "They have paid a huge tribute to the 56 through their tireless efforts to raise funds for the PSBRU. "Thank you to everyone who has donated to our cause, and a huge thank you to the WYFRS for completing this gargantuan campaign." Donations to the PSBRU can be made at
