BRADFORD’s prestigious Burns Unit will take part in a three year research project investigating hard to heal burns.

The study will be thanks to an £88,000 donation from the Oddfellows H A Andrews Memorial Fund.

The University of Bradford’s Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit was set up following the devastating Bradford City fire in 1985, which killed 56 people. Hundreds more were injured - many left with terrible scarring.

Since then the unit has become a world leader in the field, much of its work thanks to donations, and this latest project will further boost its research.

Officially titled ‘Exploiting the Hair Follicle as the Preferential Source of Wound Healing Cells in the Human Skin,’ the investigation will also look at how the treatment of wounds for people with diabetes can be improved.

The project was successfully nominated for funding by members of the Oddfellows Friendship Society in Huddersfield, who found out about the unit’s good work during last year’s 30th anniversary of the fire.

It was also seconded by the local Bradford group of Oddfellows members.

Professor Des Tobin, Director of the University’s Centre for Skin Sciences, said: “With an increasingly ageing population, improving our knowledge and understanding of the wound healing environment is more important than ever, not to mention improving the quality of life of those already suffering with associated physical and psychological trauma.”

Lifelong Bradford City fans and Oddfellows members Bob and Jean Campbell, from Shipley, were at the stadium on the day of fire in May 1985, and recently visited the unit with society representatives to hand over the first year’s funding.

Mr Campbell said: “The fire had such a devastating effect on our community. Jean and I feel very proud to be involved in such a significant contribution to future research at the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit, and to be supporting the great work they do.”

Valerie Ashcroft, Chairman of the Oddfellows, said: “Giving back is what our society is all about. We’re delighted that our donation will be put to such good use and look forward to seeing the results in three years’ time.”

The Oddfellows is one of the largest and oldest friendly societies in the UK.