THE University of Bradford, home of the city's burns research unit, was awash with claret and amber at a fundraising day to mark the 30th anniversary of the Valley Parade fire disaster.

The Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit was founded after the tragedy on May 11, 1985, by Professor David Sharpe who used pioneering techniques to treat many of the burns victims.

It has been an integral part of the university and city since carrying out that work.

Schools across Bradford have been holding claret and amber days to mark the anniversary that claimed 56 lives in 1985, and to raise money for the burns unit.

Today, the university held its own day, as well as a vigil and lecture by the burns unit staff.

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Hundreds of students and staff came to campus in either Bradford City kits or wearing the club's famous claret and amber colours. And throughout the day students were holding bucket collections around the campus.

About 50 people attended a lecture by Ajay L Mahajan, director of plastic surgery at the burns unit and Professor Des Tobin, professor of cell biology and centre for skin sciences director, which detailed the groundbreaking work that takes place there and helps burns victims across the world.

Alan Carling, of Bradford City Supporters Board, organised the anniversary appeal with the target of raising £300,000 to secure the future of the research unit.

Dozens of schools, football clubs, businesses and fundraising events later, the campaign is well over the half way mark, and had raised £176,000 even before yesterday's fundraising.

Mr Mahajan said: "The lecture was about the history of how the burns unit started and how connected it is to the university, the NHS and the people of Bradford.

"We were letting people know the kind of work that goes on in the unit. We also wanted to acknowledge all the support we have had in the last few months. The Claret and Amber days have taken off in a very big way. I've heard about 50 schools have taken part."

He said it was important the students at the university realised the importance of the unit and its history.

Although the money raised during the day has not yet been counted, Prof Tobin said he had heard that one collector had raised about £300 in an hour.

He added: "It has had a great response. Some schools have raised more than £1,000 by themselves.

"I remember the 25th anniversary, and it was just a fraction of the response from the people of Bradford as this anniversary."