Latest news with #PlasticSurgeryandBurnsResearchUnit
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. How stadium blaze gave rise to pioneering burns unit 270 seconds, 56 lives and 40 years: The story of the Bradford City fire Service marks 40 years since Bradford City fire West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service Bradford University Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bradford City fire fundraising walk completed
Firefighters and former Bradford City players have taken part in a fundraising walk in memory of 56 football fans who died in a fire at the club's Valley Parade ground 40 years ago. The blaze broke out on 11 May 1985 in one of the wooden stands during a match between the Bantams and Lincoln City. As a result, 54 Bradford City fans and two Lincoln City supporters died. At least 265 were injured. Firefighters from Lincoln and Bradford completed the 75-mile (121km) challenge and were joined by ex-players, including James Hanson, who also walked some of the route, helping to raise more than £20,000. The walk started at Lincoln City's stadium on Friday morning and ended at Valley Parade on Saturday afternoon, ahead of the game against Crewe Alexandra. Mr Hanson, who walked 39 miles (63km) , said it was "the toughest thing" he had ever done. The former player said he wanted to be involved because he knew how much the disaster had affected people. "I'm a Bradford lad. I spent eight years at Bradford so I knew exactly what it meant to everyone involved at Bradford. "I wasn't there at the fire but I have plenty of memories from family and, obviously, from being around the club I knew how much it touched everyone's hearts." Mr Hanson said those that had completed the full walk were "unbelievable". "A massive round of applause for everyone who got involved and played their part." Money raised from the challenge will go towards the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU). The unit was founded by Professor David Sharpe who led the surgical response to the Bradford City Football Club fire disaster. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Firefighters' walk for Bradford fire victims New film to mark Bradford fire tragedy anniversary Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit
