TWO Bantams fans are getting on their bikes to raise money for Bradford Burns Unit.

Michael Sparkes and Matty Gott, who work at Bingley engineering firm James Walker Moorflex, will cycle from the Valley Parade stadium to Lincoln City's Sincil Bank ground in 15 hours.

The pair will leave Bradford at 9pm on Saturday, May 7, cycle to Lincoln and return at noon the following day in time for City's final League One season game against Chesterfield.

They are hoping to raise at least £1,000 for the University of Bradford's Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU).

It was set up after the Bradford City fire disaster at Valley Parade on May 11, 1985, which took 56 lives and left around 265 more injured, when Bradford City faced Lincoln City.

A 30th anniversary appeal target of £300,000 has been set for the unit and so far has raised £278,699.

Mr Sparkes, of Freshfield Gardens, Allerton, said the cycling challenge would be an emotional experience for him.

"I have grown up with Bradford City in my life. For a lot of my friends and family, the fire is emotional," the 36-year-old said.

"We are looking to raise at least £1,000, but if we could get £5,000 it would be fantastic. It's the biggest cycle ride we have done in one go.

"We will ride all through the night. Hopefully we will get back in time.

"It will be a 15-hour trip and we plan to only have a half-hour break during the ride.

"I only started cycling last year and it is the first time I have done something for the Burns Unit."

Mr Sparkes and Mr Gott, 40, of Morecambe, plan to increase their training in the next couple of weeks, as they gear up for the test.

Money raised so far for the appeal has come from various sources including the Premier League and Football League, which brought in £25,000 from holding stadium collections one weekend in April.

Ajay Mahajan, consultant plastic surgeon and director of research at PSBRU, praised the pair for taking on the cycling challenge.

He said: "We have had a good response to the fundraising, we have almost reached our target.

"Activities like the cycling challenge all help us achieve that goal.

"We are grateful to them for doing it for us."

Visit justgiving.com/Michael-Sparkes2 to make a donation and support the appeal at fire-anniversary.brad.ac.uk/donate.