Huddersfield Town fans hope their campaign to raise money in memory of the victims of the Bradford City fire disaster will go viral on social media.

The 30th anniversary of the tragedy will be marked next month and the Huddersfield fans’ group North Stand Loyal have already raised more than TEN times their original target.

The campaign started as a bid to raise £300 to pay for a giant commemorative flag.

But within hours sponsors came forward and it was decided proceeds would instead go to the Bradford City Community Foundation’s Burns Unit Appeal.

The total so far has topped £3,000 and Graham Ellis, one of the organisers, hopes to send the appeal global on Twitter and Facebook.

Last weekend Los Angeles-based Town fan Sir Patrick Stewart tweeted his support, saying: “Rivalry takes a back seat.”

Now Graham hopes to enlist the online backing of football stars past and present who command hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of followers.

“I tweeted Sir Patrick and it was great that he took the time to compose his own tweet and send it out,” said Graham.

“He tweeted on Sunday night but because of the time difference it appeared at 3am on Monday here. Not many people will have scrolled back far enough to see that on their timelines but it still had a good response and other people also retweeted it.

“My message to Sir Patrick is ‘think about the time difference’. We don’t all live in LA!”

Sir Patrick has 1.76 million followers and now Graham hopes ex-players with Bradford connections such as former Bantams boss Chris Kamara, with 1.35 million followers, or ex-striker Stan Collymore, with 706,000, will boost the cause.

Fifty-six people lost their lives when fire engulfed the main stand at Valley Parade on May 11, 1985.

Bradford
The fire at Bradford

The game between Bradford and Lincoln was meant to be a celebration as Bantams captain – former Town centre-back and manager Peter Jackson – lifted the Division Three trophy.

Instead the day ended in shock, grief and tragedy. However, the lasting legacy was a major safety review of football stadia.

Town fans put rivalries aside to commission a 1.5 metre high by 11 metres long banner with the simple slogan: “We remember the 56.”

The flag will be displayed at Town’s home game against Blackburn on April 25, the weekend all Football League and Premier League grounds will fall silent in tribute to those who died.

Graham said the social media campaign would be stepped up nearer the anniversary and added: “It would be nice to get support across all English football clubs.

“One of the latest donations we received came from a Liverpool fan.”

To donate go to www.justgiving.com/Huddersfield-Town-Supporters

How the planned 30th anniversary banner might look