THE 30th anniversary of the Bradford City Fire will be marked at this year's FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.

The FA will honour the commemoration with an invitation to a delegation from Bradford and Lincoln to attend the Royal Box at Wembley at the semi-finals, despite the Bantams' absence from the pitch.

The blaze, on May 11, 1985, claimed a total of 56 victims, 54 Bradford City fans and two supporters of their opponents that day, Lincoln City.

Hundreds of other fans suffered severe burns as the blaze ripped through the wooden stand.

This year's FA Cup semi-finals, held on April 18 and 19, will start the commemorations and, on Saturday, April 25, clubs nationally are being encouraged to observe a minutes' silence out of respect for those who died.

It is hoped this year to raise £300,000 to help support the work of the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU) at the University of Bradford.

The FA's involvement will mean chairman Greg Dyke attending Valley Parade on April 25.

The organisation will also be represented at the annual Memorial Service in Bradford’s Centenary Square on May 11, 2015. Flags will be flown at half-mast on the same day at St George’s Park, the FA’s national training ground.

Ajay Mahajan, consultant plastic surgeon and director of PSBRU, said: "The PSBRU is very grateful to the Bradford City fans and their supporters nationally for their relentless efforts in raising funds for our unit.

"With their ongoing support, we have come a long way since we started, following the Bradford fire.

"Thanks to their support, we have been able to carry out very valuable research work in our unit that strives to improve patient care for the future.

"The unit runs on funds that are raised from time to time and if the current target is achieved, the unit’s future will be secured for a few more years to come."

Meanwhile, the PSBRU will be further boosted by a fundraising event featuring a City legend.

'An Evening with John Hendrie' will take place at the Octagon Live, Bradford Road, Riddlesden, near Keighley, on Thursday, April 23, between 7pm and 10pm.

The Scottish international striker scored 46 goals in 173 games for the Bantams between 1984 and 1988.

Half of the proceeds from the event, organised by the Bradford City Supporters Trust, will go to the PSBRU.

Mr Hendrie said: "The Burns Unit is a fantastic tribute to those who have lost their lives.

"I will do anything I can to help out the Burns Unit.

"It's important to keep on remembering the people who lost their lives that day.

"I will talk about my time at the football club. All of the ups and downs I had while I was there.

"The Bradford City Fire was the worst day of my life. I always say that.

"It will never be forgotten and never should be."

For tickets, priced £8, or £5.50 for early bird concessions, go to bcstevents.co.uk/tickets.