THE memory of a promising teenage jockey killed in a blaze which ripped through a North Yorkshire block of flats is to live on in the community where she grew up.

A fund bearing the name of 19-year-old Jan Wilson – one of the victims of a fire which engulfed a building in Norton, near Malton, last month – has now raised more than £6,300.

The Jockey Jan Memorial Fund was set up by the Scottish rider’s parents, Margaret and Drew, following the tragedy in Buckrose Court on September 5, which also claimed the life of up-and-coming racing star Jamie Kyne, 18.

Now, as they send their gratitude to everybody who has contributed, they plan to use the money to allow youngsters in the Angus area of Scotland, where she was brought up, and in Yorkshire to “follow their dream”.

The Wilsons also hope a separate fund created in the wake of the blaze can help those wanting to be part of the racing world.

The Malton Fire Disaster Appeal Fund, set up by the Jockey Club to help those affected by the fire, has amassed more than £50,000, and Mrs Wilson would like to see it used as a fitting tribute to her daughter and Irish jockey Jamie. Among her ideas is for a state-of-the-art residential centre for injured jockeys in Yorkshire, run along similar lines to Oaksey House in Berkshire.

“Ideally, I would like to see the Injured Jockeys’ Fund and Racing Welfare come together to establish such a facility, not only for injured jockeys, but for all those in the racing world who suffer serious injury in accidents while working with horses – from those at the very top in the sport right down to those who clean out the stables,” she said.

“When anybody in the team is badly hurt in their work, they should have the opportunity to recuperate at a facility similar to Oaksey House.”

Mrs Wilson – who also sent her thanks to everybody from North Yorkshire who travelled to Jan’s Forfar home town for her funeral – also believes the money could fund mechanical training horses for riders, and hopes a new award for female apprentice jockeys could be set up in her daughter’s name.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious, with a local man arrested in connection with the incident currently on bail. Witnesses should phone Malton CID on 0845 6060 247.