A BRADFORD-based voluntary sports organisation has started a fundraising appeal to kickstart its campaign to boost the reputation of the city.

Sports Campaign Against Racism (SCAR), based at Manningham Mills Sports Community Association, Scotchman Road, aims to stamp out racism at the grassroots level of the game.

Shazad Parvez, who set up SCAR alongside Delroy Dacres in 1999 in response to a racist incident on a Bradford football pitch, wants to establish a football academy in Bradford and organise conferences to attract top sporting stars to the district, but needed sponsorship from local businesses to help it achieve its aims.

They now hope Bradford firms will get on board to kickstart their plans and also help fund a minibus and a part-time administrative post.

SCAR also have links with Bradford Council, the University of Bradford and Bradford Park Avenue, where Mr Parvez works as community relations manager.

Mr Parvez, commonly known as 'Shadow', was the UK's first Asian football scout when he worked for Bradford City from 1995 to 2000.

The football coach and referee, who has run many teams in Bradford, is now the only Asian committee member of Bradford District Football Association and Bradford Sunday Alliance League.

One of the community events SCAR holds was a five-a-side football tournament the organisation ran in Fairweather Green in June raised £400 for the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Crocus Appeal, to help researchers at the University of Bradford fight cancer.

Mr Parvez hopes the fundraising appeal can boost race relations in the city.

The 55-year-old said: "I want Bradford to have a good image. I have lived here all my life.

"I want to do something positive in Bradford. It has had a bad image.

"We are a campaigning group. Our main purpose is integration. I want everyone to get on. I believe in integration.

"I'm planning to do a conference to get sports stars from football, rugby and cricket to come into the city and talk about their experiences.

"We raise money for charities and hold football tournaments. We are trying to get ethnic minorities into sport.

"I want people to come into Bradford and set up a two-day conference so it can show Bradford in a better light.

"We need a kickstart from local businesses. I want to put SCAR and Bradford on the map.

"I want to help all ethnic minorities get into sport. We need to talk about race issues and sports and move forward.

"I was the first Asian football scout in the UK and I was working under Chris Kamara at Bradford City."

For more information, or to make a donation, call Mr Parvez on 07711 757070 or email shadow5965@hotmail.com.