A TEAM of volunteers and staff have swung into action to get the Wojak family's new home ready for them.

Mike and Gill Wojak and their son Ricky lost everything in the blaze in their Ellacombe Church Road Home last month in which Stephanie Wojak, 15, and Ben McAuliffe, eight, tragically died.

The family are having to furnish their new Riviera Housing home completely from scratch, finding everything from driver's licences and marriage certificate, to cutlery and electrical goods.

New passports alone will cost more than £200.

The money donated to the Ellacombe Fire Fund — currently standing at more than at £14,000 — will be used to help furnish the new house found for the family, and give them a fresh start.

As Mike served in the army in Northern Ireland, they are being helped in the mammoth task by staff and volunteers from the Royal British Legion and the Devon and Dorset Association.

The couple have been touched and overwhelmed at the show of generosity from not only those who have donated to the fund, but other offers of help.

The support they have received in the shape of fundraising, offers of furniture and household goods, and shop vouchers which have flooded in since the horrific fire.

The team made up of staff and volunteers from the Royal British Legion, the Devonshire and Dorset Regimental Association based at The Rifles' Exeter office, the police, Citizens' Advice Bureau and Holidays for Heroes have been helping the Wojaks recover from their ordeal and with the complex task of getting ready to move into their new home.

Now that a house has been assigned to the family, and Riviera Housing is doing work to prepare it for their move, the team are contacting all the people who offered household goods through the Herald Express, some of which will go into storage ready for the moving in.

Speaking at the Royal British Legion Devon headquarters, Mike Wojak said: "We just want to thank everyone so much for all the help they have offered us."

Gill said: "We never expected people to respond in this way. We know that people are kind, but never dreamt they would respond like this."

John Pentreath, Devon county manager of the RBL, paid tribute to the role played by the Herald Express and its readers in raising the £14,102.

"We are very grateful to everybody who had contributed to the appeal," he said.

"The Devon and Dorset Regimental Association has been fantastic for the way the regimental family has looked after one of their 'old boys'," he added.

"We are also grateful to the Royal British Legion volunteers in Torbay, in particular Kevin Jeffery."

The family have been able to pick up household goods such as a washing machine and cooker, thanks to the Royal British Legion and Devon and Dorset Association.

But there are still items they need, including a replacement laptop computer for son Ricky.

Molly Holmes, managing director of Riviera Housing Trust, said: "Mr and Mrs Wojak have accepted the offer of a property in the area of their choice, which is near to friends and family support.

"We are currently making it ready, including installing a new kitchen, so that when they move in, the property meets all their needs and is comfortable.

"We have also offered to collect and install the furniture so generously donated by the public following the launch of the Herald Express's appeal in October.

"This has been a very difficult time for the Wojak family and Riviera's staff will offer them every support in the coming weeks and months."