AN APPEAL fund set up to help the Torquay family whose two young children died in the Ellacombe fire has been backed by ex-servicemen's organisations.

Individuals and businesses have also rallied around to help Michael and Gill Wojak and their son Ricky who were left with only the clothes they were wearing after the tragic fire on Saturday.

Their Riviera Housing home was not insured.

The Ellacombe Fire Fund has been launched by the Herald Express and will be run through the NatWest Bank in Torquay which has agreed to process the donations.

The Wojaks' 15-year-old daughter Stephanie and eight-year-old Ben McAuliffe died following the horrific fire which gutted their home, 28 Ellacombe Church Road, on Saturday morning.

A candlelit vigil and a one minute silence in memory of Ben and Stephanie was being held outside the home last night. Dozens of floral tributes had been laid at the front door.

Dad Michael, 51, served in the army for nine years, including on the front line in Northern Ireland.

Major Don Jellard, who runs the Devonshire and Dorset Regimental Association at The Rifles' Exeter office in Wyvern Barracks, said: "We fully support the Herald Express Ellacombe Fire Fund appeal.

"The family are in deep shock. They have lost everything, they have no clothes, no proof of identity, no money, no food, and they have lost treasured family memories.

"A friend approached the Army Benevolent Fund for help for them. We can help financially as far as we can, but our funds have been badly hit by the recession so it won't be a huge amount.

"For example, we want to make sure the family don't end up saddled with debts as a result of the fire. We are also trying to organise a break away for the family. At the moment they are having to stay with friends.

"They are a strong family, with an extended family in the area. But they have lost two loved ones. We have had lots of phone calls offering help," said Major Jellard.

Mr Wojak served as a lance corporal with the Devon and Dorsets, now The Rifles. He was in the mortar platoon and the recce platoon of the Devon and Dorsets between 1976 and 1982 and then transferred to what was the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, now the Royal Logistical Corps for three years.

Ken Squires, the Devon and Dorset Regiment Association leader for Torbay and Teignbridge, said there are hundreds of ex-Devon and Dorset servicemen and their families living in the area and they have been deeply shocked by this tragedy.

There are many messages on a website for ex-servicemen.

"Michael may have been out of the service for a long time, but the Devon and Dorsets were a very close regiment. We will do anything we can to help."

Local firms have already come forward with offers of furniture and services in response to the Herald Express Ellacombe Fire Fund.

The Royal British Legion has agreed to coordinate the collection of donations of goods on behalf of the family.

John Pentreath, county manager for the Devon RBL, said they had sent an officer to talk to the family and assess what they need. They had been able to give them a £200 voucher for food.

Holidays for Heroes are working on securing a break for the family, probably in this country as their passports were lost in the fire, he said.

"We leapt into action as soon as we heard, we will be offering as much help as we can," said Mr Pentreath. "This terrible tragedy has occurred just as we are launching this year's poppy appeal which will help raise funds for the welfare cases we handle next year.

"Sometimes the cases we deal with are as far away as Afghanistan, others are on our doorstep."

PC Emma-Louise Parsons, the family liaison officer appointed to look after the Wojaks' interests in the wake of the tragedy, said: "People's response has been fantastic. The schools have done a lot for them. A few army friends have also been in touch which is great. The level of support the family have had is brilliant and they would like to thank everyone for their generosity."

Molly Holmes, managing director of Riviera Housing Trust, said: "Our thoughts are with the family at this extremely sad time.

"Everyone at Riviera has been very moved by this story and we would like to help in any way we can. We will be supporting the family over the coming weeks and months which includes help in providing alternative accommodation. It is touching that so many people have pledged their kind support to the Herald Express appeal and we will be working closely with the British Legion in coordinating the storage and collection of items, before arranging for them to be installed in the family's new home.