THE director of the city's burns unit has called on Bradford City fans to dig deep and help it reach its initial £300,000 fundraising target at the club's last home game ahead of the League One play-offs.

The University of Bradford's Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU) was set up after the Bradford City fire disaster at Valley Parade in May 1985, which cost 56 lives and left about 265 people injured.

In April last year, a 30th anniversary appeal to support the unit was set up by the Bradford City FC Supporters Board, with a £300,000 target.

Now, more than 12 months on, the amount stands at £294,778.

Unit staff hope an annual collection at Bradford City's final League One home game of the season against Chesterfield on Sunday, May 8, will see them cross the line.

Ajay Mahajan, consultant plastic surgeon and director of research at PSBRU, has issued a rallying cry to Bantams fans, who he says is the unit's main supporters. A minute's silence will also take place before the Chesterfield clash.

He said: "I'm very confident of getting to the initial target due to the support we have been getting.

"The last-minute efforts will certainly help with that.

"The Bradford City bucket collection is one of our biggest fundraising events.

"Last year's raised between £7,000 and £8,000. Usually we get £3,000 to £4,000, last year's total was huge and hopefully the same can happen this year.

"We want to raise an initial £300,000 and we're hoping to raise more than that. This is a continuing fundraising target.

"Bradford City fans are our major supporters. We have done brilliantly so far."

James Mason, Bradford City's chief executive, said: "It's a phenomenal achievement to get to £294,000 already and it would be wonderful for it to reach its initial target of £300,000.

"The whole of the city comes together on the last home game of any season to pay tribute and remember the events of May 11, 1985. It is always a special and poignant day for the football club. We have always been big supporters for raising money for the burns unit.

The total was boosted by a £6,000 donation from last year's Bradford City Runs.

The cheque was handed over to Mr Mahajan at the Bantams' home clash with Walsall on Saturday, April 23.

Other fundraising events for the unit include a stage documentary, the 56, which paid homage to those who lost their lives in the fire disaster, will return to the city for performances at the Alhambra Studio between May 5 and 7.

The 31st anniversary of the fire disaster will be marked by a service of commemoration in Centenary Square at 11am on Wednesday, May 11.

To make a donation and support the Bradford Burns Unit's 30th anniversary appeal, go to fire-anniversary.brad.ac.uk/donate.