A TEACHER whose pupils in Spain raise money for the Bradford Burns Unit was shown where the cash goes when he visited the research centre yesterday.

For the last three years, Thomas Slack, who is originally from Eccleshill, has organised a fundraising event at the English Montessori School in Madrid where he works.

The latest one took place last week and saw more than 450 Euros raised – taking the total for the three events to about 1,500 Euros.

Yesterday, Mr Slack met Ajay Mahajan, consultant plastic surgeon and director of research at the burns unit. He was given a tour of the unit and did some filming to show to his pupils back in Spain.

“It was good,” said Mr Slack, 32. “It was quite informal, which was nice. We had a chat, did a few videos, asked him a few questions and then he showed me round the lab.

“We have done three events at our school in aid of the burns unit now, raising about 1,500 Euros. I thought it was important to show the kids why they are raising the money and that there is a goal to it. I think it is important that pupils know where the money goes and what it’s used for. This gives a more personal touch to the fundraising event and shows the pupils that they can make a difference.

“Being so far away, they barely know about it all. It is a good education to see what they have done, and now there is a link between the school and the unit we want to make the event a more permanent thing for the future.”

Mr Mahajan said: “I found Thomas to be very passionate about Bradford City. One thing I noticed was he obviously misses the club and the city and he just wanted to keep it alive where he lives now – and from what I can see he has found a perfect way to keep that going as well as raising funds for us at the same time. He has been a good supporter for the research unit.

“It is nice that he is not only raising funds for us, but creating awareness of Bradford City in a completely different country where they have no awareness of it at all.

“One student told him that they played Real Madrid against Bradford City on a computer game.

“It is nice to see a younger generation involved in Bradford City from a different country and it is nice to show the pupils how the money they are raising translates into what we do at the unit.”

The three fundraising events have seen pupils wear a football shirt to school before watching a game between teachers and Mr Slack’s class.

Mr Slack said: “It was a fantastic day for the pupils and the school. The majority of pupils wore football shirts, mainly Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona shirts.

“Some of the older pupils prepared the sound system and made playlists, including the Champions League theme, and they also did the match commentary. Some even made banners in support of the teachers and there was even a ‘Wenger Out’ one.

“Each teacher had their own name read out, nicknamed as a football player. I was given Thomas Muller!

“The game was quite close at the beginning but became slightly one-sided at the end. The teachers won 5-2 but my class did themselves proud.”