The Burns Unit at Bradford University is an embodiment of the hope and unity that came out of the horror of the fire at Bradford City that claimed 56 lives.

Born out of that tragedy, the unit became a positive force and a symbol of the gradual healing of the club and the city.

Now, the man who played the key role in setting up the unit, Professor David Sharpe, has announced his retirement.

Professor Sharpe was inspired to create the unit after he led the surgical response to that awful, awful day. Plastic surgeons from around the UK were drafted in, and on the Monday after the fire Prof Sharpe and his team began treating the wounded. They operated on about 25 people that first day. Eighty patients needed skin grafts that week.

Since then, the unit has become a centre of excellence for research and good practice, despite receiving no public funding and being reliant on donations. An appeal in 2011, orchestrated by Bradford City Football Club and backed by the Telegraph & Argus to mark the 25th anniversary of the disaster, raised £167,775.37 to ensure the mid-term future of the unit.

Prof Sharpe’s drive, humanity and tireless determination will obviously be missed, but the unit he developed must continue to thrive and grow and ensure that it continues to honour all those who died and were injured in the 1985 fire by constantly improving treatments for burns victims.

Prof Sharpe is a prime example of what is best about Bradford, and his achievement shows how from tragedy hope can sometimes flourish.