AN appeal launched to help those affected by the fire has already raised more than £39,000.

Racing Welfare, which has an office just yards from the blaze in Norton, is aiming to help those left homeless as well as the families of Jamie Kyne and Jan Wilson.

An official launch was held on Friday at Doncaster’s St Leger’s Festival.

Organisers hope the appeal will eventually raise £100,000 to provide both immediate and long-term help for the survivors and the racing community in Norton and Malton in general.

Richard Negus, Racing Welfare’s communications and fundraising executive, said he was meeting local trainers and workers in the racing industry this week to discuss how the appeal money was used.

“We need to look at what we are doing in both the short and long term,” he said.

“Obviously, the first thing is to deal with the needs of those affected by the fire who have lost everything.

“But in the longer term we have to look at something that will benefit the people of Norton and Malton.”

Mr Negus said that one of ideas being considered was a housing project that would provide safe and affordable housing for youngsters entering the racing industry.

“Some of these youngsters are just 16 or 17 and expected to do an adult’s job and a dangerous job while living away from home and their families,” he added.

“We could provide them with the housing that they need along with the support of qualified welfare officers to offer them practical and emotional support.”

Mr Negus added that the money raised would not only be used to help the fire survivors from the racing industry. “This has affected a lot of people in the town and we want to help those who have lost everything where we can.”

Mr Negus praised the staff at the Racing Welfare office in Norton for their round-the-clock work since the flat fire.

“The work that the staff have been doing there is amazing,” he said. “Within hours of the incident they were providing immediate help. They have done a fantastic job.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation to the Malton Fire Disaster Appeal can do so at the charity’s office in Norton.

Cheques, made payable to Racing Welfare, can also be sent to Racing Welfare, 5B Commercial Street, Norton, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 9HX.