FUNDRAISING chiefs in charge of the £100,000-plus pot raised following the deaths of two North Yorkshire jockeys are considering the views of the community before deciding how to spend the sum.

The racing community across the county, but especially in Malton and Norton, dug deep following the tragic loss of apprentices Jamie Kyne, 18, and Jan Wilson, 19, in a flats fire in September.

In the weeks following the tragic deaths of the two jockeys, Racing Welfare, who have an office in Norton, co-ordinated a fundraising campaign which raised more than £110,000 to date. The milestone £100,000 figure was reached at Doncaster on November handicap day and the efforts included 15 jockeys, along with The Press racing tipster Tom O’Ryan, having their heads shaved – and money continues to come in.

The charity, which helps people in need in the racing community, then sent out a questionnaire to people in the North Yorkshire industry asking them how they would like to see the money used.

Options mooted have included a dedicated housing block in Malton for young jockeys starting out in their careers.

Kyne, apprentice to Highfield handler John Quinn, was considered one of racing’s brightest prospects, while Wilson, based at Thirsk with David Barron, also looked to have a promising future in the sport.

Richard Negus, Racing Welfare’s fundraising and communications executive, said the organisation needed to collate and look at the information contained in the questionnaires to ensure the money is put to best use.

“We raised more than £100,000 which was a phenomenal amount,” he said.

“We have put out a questionnaire to those who make their living out of racing to see what housing requirements they have got.

“We have talked a lot with the parents of Jamie and Jan and they have both said they would like to see something – if it is going to be a lasting tribute to their children’s lives – which benefits all the people of racing in the north of England.

“We need to go and collate the information and see what the people of Malton, who work in racing, need. £100,000 is a fantastic figure but it is not going to build an Oaksey House in the North.”

• Don’t miss Turf Talk in The Press tomorrow for an in-depth look at the work Racing Welfare do in the county.