A fundraising initiative by Carlisle United fans to pay respects to the victims of the Bradford City fire disaster has raised more than £1,400 in just hours.

Ahead of the clubs' meeting in the League Two play-offs, the Blues supporters started a campaign to raise money to pay for flowers or a wreath to be laid at the memorial at Valley Parade.

And after an initial target of £150 was set on Thursday evening, supporters have already raised nearly ten times that amount.

By 9am on Friday the gofundme initiative had gone past the £1,400 mark.

Those behind it say the gesture is an attempt to show that an interrupted minute's silence by a small number of Carlisle fans at Bradford last season did not represent the views and actions of the majority.

They also wish to underline the respect for and remembrance of the 56 people who died in the 1985 tragedy.

The initiative was launched on the 38th anniversary of the fire, which happened on May 11, 1985.

The fundraising is the idea of the Flags For United movement, which has previously held successful crowdfunding initiatives for flags and banners at Brunton Park, as well as community ticket donations as part of the club's recent #10for10 promotion for April's home game against Tranmere Rovers.

To donate to the fundraiser, click HERE

The fundraiser, launched by FlagsForUnited's Chris Cope and entitled 'Remembering the 56', says: "Due to the interrupted minutes silence and the disturbing comments being posted online by so-called Carlisle “fans” we are putting money together to show that the minority do not represent the majority and as a club we respect and remember the 56 that unfortunately lost their lives."

Any leftover funds will go to the Bradford Burns Unit, they added, with a donation also to be made in memory of Bradford City academy manager Neil Matthews, who died this week aged 56 from cancer.

Bradford City's players and staff attended a memorial service in the city on Thursday to mark the fire anniversary.

Bradford fans and those connected to the club were furious last season when, in their meeting with Carlisle in May on the date of the memorial fixture, the traditional minute's silence was interrupted.

United announced after the game: "We can assure everyone connected with Bradford City that the actions of a few do not reflect the sentiments or feelings of the many. We will remember them."

Carlisle's head of recruitment and former manager Greg Abbott was in the Bradford team that day in 1985 when the disaster happened as the Bantams were taking on Lincoln City.

United take on Bradford at Valley Parade in the League Two play-off semi-final first leg on Sunday night.

To donate to the fundraiser, click HERE