A RACING welfare officer who helped the victims of a fire which killed two young jockeys in Norton has won a national award.

Paul Lodge, 44, who works for the charity Racing Welfare, was awarded at the Betfair 2011 Pride of Racing Awards for supporting 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. He received 20 nominations for the award and his actions have been commended by Carol and Mick Murphy, parents of one of the blaze survivors.

They said: “Paul Lodge 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’. His phone was always switched on, he was always there. He has done everything from putting clothes on backs, to counselling and explaining the drawn out and distressing issues of the trial.”

Speaking before he learned of his win at the ceremony at Epsom Downs Racecourse yesterday, Mr Lodge said he was taken aback to be nominated.

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.”

The award ceremony recognising racing’s “unsung heroes” was attended by 230 guests including guest of honour, Princess Anne.