CHARITY bosses have revealed they want to set up a housing project in Malton to provide a memorial to the two apprentice jockeys who died in a fatal flats fire.

Leading bookmaker Ladbrokes has already committed £10,000 to the project and chiefs at the charity, which has offices in Malton, are hoping more will follow suit with donations.

We reported on Tuesday how Racing Welfare set up an appeal to help those left homeless by the blaze that tore through the accommodation block in Buckrose Court, Norton, and claimed the lives of young riders Jamie Kyne and Jan Wilson last Saturday.

Now, the organisation says that while the first phase of their campaign is to deal with the needs of those affected by the fire, the “ambitious” second stage is to provide a memorial – with a housing project expressed as a “fitting way” of achieving that.

As at Haydock, Thirsk and York over the weekend, a moment’s silence was held in memory of the two jockeys before the start of the four-day St Leger Festival at Doncaster Racecourse yesterday.

Riders came out for the first race and lined up in the paddock, heads bowed, to pay their respects.

Tomorrow, Doncaster hosts the official launching of the fundraising initiative for the fire victims.

Richard Negus, Racing Welfare’s fundraising and communications executive, said: “The first phase is to deal with the needs of those affected by the fire.

“The six individuals who survived the fire were literally left with nothing.

“None of them was insured, so they have immediate needs.

“There is also counselling for those individuals, for the families and friends of those who died and survived.

“There are funeral costs and there are incidental costs.”

Among those affected was Ian Brennan, the friend of Jan Wilson and Jamie Kyne, who jumped from an upper-storey window to escape the flames.

Mr Negus said: “The second phase, which is our long-term aim, is to provide some sort of memorial to Jamie and Jan.

“It has been expressed that a fitting way to do this would be a housing project in Malton.

“It’s an ambitious aim, but Ladbrokes have already committed to donating £10,000 and we are hoping other leading bookmakers will follow suit.

“Doncaster Racecourse has been brilliant, Friday’s launch giving the appeal a real focus, and we’ve already had offers from Sandown and Newbury for further fundraising days.”

On the silence, Adam Waterworth, Doncaster’s managing director, said: “Everyone in racing has felt this loss deeply and at Doncaster we wanted to pay our tribute to the two young jockeys who lost their lives in such tragic circumstances.”

Donations to the fund can be made by sending cheques to Racing Welfare, 5B Commercial Street, Norton, Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 9HX.

Those wanting to donate using debit cards are asked to phone Racing Welfare on 01638 560763.