A RACING welfare officer who helped the victims of a fire which killed two young jockeys has been nominated for a national award.

Paul Lodge, 44, who works for Racing Welfare, a charity based in Norton, near Malton, in North Yorkshire, supported people who lost everything after the fire in Buckrose Court, in Norton, in September 2009.

The fire led to the deaths of Jamie Kyne, 17, and Jan Wilson, 19, and was started by Peter Brown, who is serving an indeterminate prison sentence for manslaughter.

In the aftermath of the fire Mr Lodge provided the victims with clothing, counselling and practical help and launched a fundraising drive which raised more than £110,000.

Now Mr Lodge has been recognised for his efforts by the people of Norton and Malton who have nominated him for the Betfair 2011 Pride of Racing Awards.

He received 20 separate nominations from local people, with one saying: "Paul is paid to be a welfare officer but the help and support he has given and continues to give to those of us affected by the fire goes beyond what we would expect as part of the job.

"He’s a good man, he really cares and it would be a fantastic thing to see such an unassuming bloke get some public recognition."

Mr Lodge, who will attend an awards’ evening at Epsom on July 14, said he was taken aback by the nomination.

"I am delighted. It was a bit of a shock, actually," he said.

"I’m just a guy who goes to work and does what I do. Helping people is what I do and it is one of those things where you don’t think you will be recognised for that."