THE commitment and good-will of fundraisers will see the Bradford Burns Unit Appeal reach its £300,000 target.

That was the view of appeal organiser Alan Carling, who has praised the "magnificent" response which coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Valley Parade fire disaster.

Yesterday, Bradford-based supermarket giant Morrisons as well as more primary schools held events to raise money for the appeal.

Mr Carling said: "What we are seeing is that individuals with emotional and family ties to Bradford, often with memories of 1985, are inspired to take the initiative wherever they are.

"This can be at workplaces around Bradford, or at schools throughout the district. But it can also happen with Bradfordians who live and work abroad, at a bar in Benidorm, a school in Madrid or in the British Embassy in Brasilia.

"And word spreads within the football community, too, so we have had interest from Danish newspapers and from the Basque region. We know there has been a fantastic response from Yorkshire football clubs, including all our local rivals, Huddersfield Town, Barnsley and Leeds United. Hull City and other Premier League clubs have become involved too.

"Many of these ideas and projects are reaching fruition now, which is why we have seen a surge of donations to the appeal over the last few days that has brought it to the extraordinary total of £153,233, the halfway mark on the way to the target set last summer.

"And I am hearing every day about plans for future events that extend as far as September and October. The Bishop of Bradford said at the memorial service that the commemoration was a private event for Bradford and Bradfordians, but one with a universal message. And I think that is very true.

"The response has been magnificent, and thanks are due to all those who have contributed their time and thoughts and energy so far. It is hard to predict, but I feel that there is so much commitment and good-will now that we may well reach the target of £300,000.

"This is important because it will secure the future of the Burns Unit for years to come as a lasting memorial to those who suffered in 1985."

Morrisons raised £12,582 for the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit at the University of Bradford during a week of fundraising at its Gain Lane headquarters and Bradford stores, including a raffle, claret and amber day, and a sale of Morrisons goodies.

David Hewitt, communities manager for Morrisons, said: "As a company with its roots in Bradford we wanted to show our support for the amazing work of the burns unit. We’re extremely proud that all Morrisons staff across Bradford have come together to raise a fantastic amount for a very worthy cause."

Yesterday, pupils at St Francis Primary School in Myers Lane, Bolton, Bradford, heard how award-winning play The 56 came to be written by co-writer Gemma Wilson, a former pupil at the school.

Gemma co-wrote The 56 with university friend Matt Stevens-Woodhead. She was at the school as part its claret and amber day, where pupils donated £1 in exchange for wearing something in Bradford City's colours.

Head teacher Daniel Copley said: "We were delighted when Gemma said she could attend our special commemorative worship and tell us about The 56. The children are aware of what happened in the Bradford City Fire Disaster 30 years ago. We expect Gemma’s story will help them to understand even more the impact the fire has had on the lives of many people."

St James Primary raised £515 at a claret and amber day where a jumble and cake sale was held.

Suzanne Louch, learning mentor and parental involvement worker at the school, said: "We raised a lot more than we expected and we are very pleased with that.

"The children had a lovely time."