A group of firefighters from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) are embarking on a mammoth fundraising challenge to raise money in memory of those who lost their lives in the Bradford City Fire disaster 40 years ago.
The crews, based at Bradford Fire Station want to raise £56,000 in memory of the 56 people who lost their lives when a fire broke out at a football match between the Bantams and Lincoln City in 1985. Proceeds raised for the 56for56 appeal will go towards the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU) which is based in the city.
To achieve their impressive target, they’ve created a range of events over the coming months. The most arduous challenge is a walk between the stadiums of the two teams who played on the day of the tragedy. The crews will be joined by counterparts from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service, plus ex-players from both Bradford and Lincoln City FC, to complete the 75 miles between Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank ground to the University of Bradford Stadium. The team hope to reach City’s ground in time to meet fans at their home game against Crewe Alexandra.
Other fundraising events taking place include bucket collections at the University of Bradford Stadium and a charity football match which will see a team from WYFRS take on a squad of Bradford City legends.
A black-tie fundraising evening is due to be announced at the stadium in June, featuring special guest, former Bradford City striker Dean Windass. An open day will take place at Bradford Fire Station on Sunday 18 May and a fundraising car wash will also aim to raise money for the appeal in March.
Crew Commander of Bradford Green Watch Mark Hayward said “We were inspired to do this challenge because of the impact this horrendous event has had on not only the family and friends of those directly involved, including personal family connections, but also those of the fire service and the city of Bradford itself too. Phil and I are both huge Bradford City Fans as well as Firefighters for WYFRS, so when two worlds come together for us, in this 40th anniversary year, it was an absolute no brainer to raise money for The Burns Unit, having seen the amazing work that they do. We’d love to see the public get behind us and make a difference in memory of those who lost their lives.”
Watch Commander Phil Warden of Bradford Green Watch said "Born in Bradford and being a lifelong Bradford City fan, then becoming a watch commander at Bradford Fire Station, it gave myself and Mark the opportunity to arrange some special events in memory of the 56 lives that were lost and thousands of people affected by the fire.
"The 11th of May 1985 should have been a celebration which turned into one of the biggest disasters in WYFRS history.
"With the drive of myself, Mark and our colleagues in the fire service, we have set ourselves the challenge to raise £56,000 for the Bradford plastic surgery and burns research unit so they can continue the work they started the day of the fire."
Go to https://justgiving.com/page/56for56 or text 10Bradford or 20Bradford to 70470 to make a donation.