A CAMPAIGN by two groups of Bradford City supporters to raise thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support and the district's Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit is gathering pace.

Members of Bantams Trek and The Friends of Bradford City FC embarked on 18 months of fundraising activities in July, with the money to be split between local Macmillan services and the burns unit, formed in the aftermath of the Bradford City fire disaster, which took place 30 years ago next year.

Fundraisers have already conquered the Three Peaks Challenge, held question and answer sessions with City players, and plan to embark on a sponsored 1,000 mile walk from John O'Groats to Lands End when the football season ends.

A number of events are also set to take place in the run-up to the festive season, including the Macmillan Northern Christmas Ball at Valley Parade on Friday, December 12.

John Duckworth, of Bantams Trek, and also the kit man at Bradford City, said: “The Christmas ball should be a great night, and should hopefully raise a substantial amount of money.

"I've got a fundraising target in my head, and with a great committee behind me, we're on the way there now.

"I was apprehensive before the first event, but people have been generous with their support and things are really rolling now, I'm over the moon with how it's going.

"You get attached to causes like this, and they're both very dear to my heart.

"Every family knows someone who has been affected by cancer, and I was there on the day of the fire, so I know how important the burns unit is.

"The club and players have been tremendous. Stephen Darby, as captain, has helped with everything I've asked, which is fantastic."

The group has organised a curry night with several City players at The 3 Singhs Indian restaurant tomorrow and is due to hold another question and answer session with Stephen Darby and Rory McArdle at the Wood Bottom Working Men's Club in Shipley on November 25.

A charity auction will also take place at The Highfield Hotel at Five Lane Ends on December 2, featuring a host of sporting memorabilia, including a play-off final medal from the Bantam's Wembley triumph last year.

All money raised for Macmillan will be used to provide services solely in the Bradford area, such as developing more care coordinator roles to provide consistent and dedicated one-to-one support to cancer patients.

Funds raised for the burns unit will support research activities at the University of Bradford around improvements to wound healing and scarring.

Viki Power, Macmillan`s local fundraising manager, said: "We are so grateful to Bantamstrek and The Friends of Bradford City FC for supporting us.

"We rely on our fundraisers for 98 per cent of our income every year, and every penny raised will help us to be there for people when they need us most."

For Christmas Ball tickets, visit werehavingaball.co.uk, and for more information on the fundraising campaign, e-mail John at grahamjohnducks@aol.co.uk.