A Bradford City supporter is running 56 runs of 5.6 miles as part of a fundraising campaign in aid of the Bradford Burns Unit.

Richard Dunbar aims to raise £5,600 in memory of the 56 people who died in the fire in 1985.

He launched his fundraising campaign – for the Bradford Burns Unit, set up in the aftermath of the disaster – last autumn when he completed a 56km running and cycling challenge at Wibsey Park.

“I raised nearly £600 from that and I’m now embarking on my next challenge - tackling 56 5.6-mile runs between now and the start of Bradford City’s next season in August,” said Mr Dunbar, 29, from Buttershaw.

“My previous challenge of running and cycling 56km – 28km running and 28 km cycling – was physically and mentally tough. I completed it in about four hours.

“Raising money for the burns unit appeal, in memory of the 56 people who lost their lives in the Bradford City fire, gave me all the motivation I needed.

“About three-quarters of the way round I thought I couldn’t carry on but then then I remembered all the tweets of encouragement from the players, fans and others associated with the club. Perhaps what gave me the biggest boost was a man walking his dog in the park, who had been in the ground at the time of the fire. He stood there for a few laps shouting words of encouragement – there was no way I could stop after that!”

Mr Dunbar will take on his next challenge by completing two or three runs each week between now and the start of August.

“I have done the Great North Run a few times, half marathons and other long runs, so these 5.6 mile runs on their own don’t seem all that bad. But because the challenge is spread out over several months it will be more mentally challenging,” he said.

“Next year will be the 30-year anniversary of the Bradford City Fire Disaster and I am determined to raise £5,600 for the Burns Unit Appeal – £100 for every victim – by that time. I will be looking for a new challenge from August onwards so if anyone has any ideas please get in touch.”

Anyone who would like to donate can visit justgiving.com/remembering the56 or text ILMO56 to 70070.