Students from the University of Bradford made a colourful contribution to the Telegraph & Argus Crocus Cancer Appeal by holding a community carnival over the weekend.

The charity fun day, organised and run by the university’s sports teams and societies, also raised funds for Team Bradford, part of the student union, and Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure, the organisation chosen for this year’s Lord Mayor’s appeal.

More than 300 visitors flocked to the ‘Colours Carnival’ and generated hundreds of pounds by taking part in a variety of activities, including archery, a keepy-uppy football competition, boxing, and even the racing of wooden sheep.

They were also treated to demonstrations of cheerleading, jiu jitsu, and street dancing, before the day culminated in Holi, a festival of colour organised by the university’s Hindu society.

Head student organiser Gemma Jackson said: “We wanted to put on a really big event for the local community, and make a big effort for the charities.

“Students, particularly those involved in the sports teams, get passionate about a cause and we all come together for Team Bradford, which is like a little bubble in itself. We’re part of the city’s community, and it’s great to see students taking an interest in these charities and the work that they do.”

Dean Dowling, Secretary of University of Bradford Archery club, said: “We’ve been surprisingly popular today, but it’s one of those things that people don’t often get the chance to have a go at. It’s really easy to do, and lots of people have been trying it out, despite it being a little bit chilly!

“Days like this, where we’re out fund-raising in public, are very important as it shows how much the student body actually does, and shows that we are here to help the Bradford community where we can. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to support some great causes.”

As well as Saturday’s event, a charity auction of special items, including an Imran Khan-signed cricket bat, an autographed snooker cue from Jimmy White, and tickets for Bradford City FC, will be held at a gala dinner later in the year, with proceeds going to the same three charities.

The T&A Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal is aiming to raise £1 million towards the city's ground-breaking work to fight the disease faster than ever before.

The campaign, which is being run with the university, Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust and Yorkshire Cancer Research, will use any money raised towards a hi-tech machine that could hold the breakthrough to developing less toxic and more targeted tumour-blasting cancer treatments.

To support the appeal, e-mail crocus@brad.ac.uk, or call (01274) 233166.