DIRECTORS of the Bradford Burns Unit have thanked fundraisers for continued support on the 36th anniversary of the City Fire Disaster.

A total of 56 people died in the disaster on May 11, 1985, when the Bantams hosted Lincoln City at Valley Parade. An online service will be held today to mark the anniversary.

The disaster saw the creation of the Bradford Burns Unit, a partnership between the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Bradford Royal Infirmary and the Centre for Skin Sciences at the University of Bradford.

The unit was founded by Professor David Sharp, the consultant plastic surgeon at Bradford at the time, who was faced with treating no fewer than 258 people with burns, many to their hands, which in part led to the creation of the Bradford Sling.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Prof Ajay Mahajan took over from Prof Sharp when he retired in 2014 and is Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Bradford Teaching Hospitals and Professor of Plastic Surgery at the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU), also known as the Bradford Burns Unit.

Prof Mahajan said: “This past year has not been easy. The pandemic put a huge strain on the NHS, while limiting activity in the University following the lockdowns.

“We redirected our resources to the NHS and all our research fellows, Lucy Trevor, Alina Chelmus and Kirsty Smith helped out at the Bradford Royal Infirmary.

“But we also continued with our academic activities and have published our work and presented it at meetings in the virtual format.

“Over the years, our work at the PSBRU has been possible because of the ongoing generosity of the people of Bradford and support from Bradford City.

“In spite of the pandemic, people have continued to support us by carrying out various fundraising activities.

“The lockdowns did not wane their spirit and people found innovative ways to raise funds for us. We, at the PSBRU, are very grateful for this support.”

Professor Julie Thornton, Director of the University’s Centre for Skin Sciences, said: “For the last 36 years, we have been supported by the generosity of people fundraising and we are very grateful.

“The pandemic has presented challenges, but we continue to conduct pioneering research into burns, and tissue repair and regeneration.

“This unit was set up specifically for trainee doctors to come and do scientific research and that mission continues.”