JTYAF News
John’s Charity Soars to a Quarter of a Million:
The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation continues to fly ever higher since its inception in 2008. Founded in memory of local Royal Marine John Thornton from Ferndown, the registered charity has achieved the milestone of raising its first £250,000 for the benefit of young achievers from the local area. At their recent board meeting, the Charity’s Trustees have agreed to commit an incredible £60,000 in grants and bursaries for the forthcoming year including some new partnerships to further cement the charity’s name within the Ferndown community. The core organisations – Ferndown Upper School, the Dorset and Wilts Wing Air Training Corps and the Air Cadets Junior Leaders – will each receive £15,000 to provide grants for its members who are dedicated to excellence in various fields, or supporting both local, national and international projects. Students and cadets will be encouraged to apply for funds to assist them in their personal talents, endeavours and projects. Each is expected to provide a brief fully-costed business case and winners are selected by the Board on merit and the applicant’s efforts. The Trustees are delighted to continue to support other local groups – e.g. The Dorset Music Service, Dorset Fire and Rescue Cadets and Beaucroft School, etc. – who have not only benefitted, but shown continued support for the Foundation in various fund-raising events of their own. New in 2012, the Trustees have added both Parley First and Ferndown First Schools to their list of educational beneficiaries, thus completing the Charity’s links with the Ferndown education pyramid. John was a pupil at Parley First and John’s parents, Linda and Pete, had the full support of the Trustees in designating funds to the School to further their aims in helping developing talented or community-spirited pupils. Peter Thornton, Chairman of the Trustees, said “The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation has made a real difference to the lives of over 200 great young people but this has only been possible with the backing of our patron, our board of trustees and our many supporters and volunteers. Thank you to everyone who has helped John’s legacy to live on encouraging young people to ’climb as high as they can dream.” The full list of organisations that will benefit from the 2012 grants are as follows: The Charity has many new initiatives coming to fruition and numerous fund-raising activities planned for 2012 and we encourage all to follow news of these in the media and via the Foundation’s website at www.jtyaf.org. This press release was produced by Geoff Beck and distributed to both national and local media.
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The trustees of the JTYAF are delighted that the foundation has been selected as the ‘Nominated Charity’ by Haskins in Ferndown. The store has been a massive support to the JTYAF with raffles and collecting days and most recently they held a ‘Ladies Night’ which was an extremely popular event.
As if all this wasn’t enough, Tom was late to Mrs Wedge’s lesson one morning last year because he had stopped on his way to school to save someone’s life! A man who had been involved in a car accident had ceased breathing and would have died if Tom had not been on the scene and had the skills to revive and stabilise him until the ambulance arrived. 
Saturday 27th to Monday 29th August 2011
Pete Thornton recently retired from QA Training after working for them for 25 years and was delighted to receive a massive donation of £5,000 from the company to The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation. 
Waitrose Ringwood Community Matters Scheme June 2011
The Acorn Branch of the Oddfellows had raised an incredible £1,650 for the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation and a further £100 was donated from the business section. Linda and Pete were absolutely overwhelmed to be presented with a cheque for such a large amount and so very grateful to the Acorn Branch Oddfellows for their kindness and generosity.
Councillor Graham Wilson pictured right, has been elected as Poole’s 763rd Mayor. 
The JTYAF was honoured to be chosen as one of the three principal charities for the ninth Swimathon organised by the Rotary Club of Wimborne. 
The JTYAF would like to extend their thanks to all the swimmers, the sponsors who supported them so generously, the life guards and above all to the Rotarians. It was an absolute honour for the JTYAF to be involved in such a superb event and a privilege to have been included as one of the principal charities.
December 2010
Chris and his party enjoyed the most fantastic day which included a visit to the helicopter crash simulator the ‘Dunker’, flying the Lynx Simulator, a visit to the Fleet Air Arm Museum which has the largest collection of Naval aircraft in Europe and incorporates the famous Royal Navy Historic Flight. |
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10th November 2010
Ferndown Middle School Remembers
On the 10th November the pupils at Ferndown Middle School held a Remembrance Day assembly. At this assembly Pete Thornton was invited to speak to the pupils about the very special Foundation, the JTYAF that has been set up in memory of John.
The staff and pupils at Ferndown Middle School wanted to raise money to donate to the Foundation and on 11th November, Remembrance Day, the pupils brought coins into school to cover a large poppy that had been drawn on paper and laid on the floor in the hall. The children brought in so many coins that an additional three poppies needed to be drawn and they raised an amazing £182 for the JTYAF.
Pictured Above Left: pupils busily laying their coins to create the Remembrance Poppies
Pictured Above Right: pupils proudly displaying the finished work.
The pupils are now planning a non uniform day in January and they intend to donate the proceeds to the JTYAF.
We would like to pass on our thanks to all the staff and pupils at Ferndown Middle School. The coin poppy was a very poignant gesture and a wonderful fundraiser for the Foundation. John would have been very touched to receive such wonderful support from his old school.
Sunday 14th November 2010
Hampreston Church
A new memorial will be unveiled at the Remembrance Service to be held at Hampreston Church on Sunday 14th November and Lt John Thornton RM will finally have his name on the War Memorial in his home town.
The service starts at 10.00am and should finish around 11.15am.
The Thornton family would like to thank everyone involved from The Royal British Legion Ferndown as without their help John would not be receiving this recognition which he rightly deserves.
November 20th 2010
Eternal Voices – Exeter Cathedral
The article and pictures below, taken from www.royalmarinesonline.com, give details of ‘Eternal Voices’ the headline piece of the concert at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 20th November. This musical tribute to the fallen, the injured, those currently serving and their families will feature memories of Lt John Thornton RM which were collected by Librettist Ben Kaye when he visited the Thornton family. JT would be honoured to think that he had made a small contribution to this significant and poignant major new work.
Iconic Journalist and Newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald OBE will reveal the shattered lives behind the headlines at the world premiere of ‘Eternal Voices’ at Exeter Cathedral on November 20th 2010.
To be performed by The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, Soloists, the eighty-strong Exeter Festival Chorus, and narrated by Sir Trevor McDonald OBE, this Charity concert’s headline piece ‘Eternal Voices’ is an exploration of the personal stories behind the soon-forgotten headlines of injury and death in conflict. Specially commissioned by The Royal Marines Charitable Trust, ‘Eternal Voices’ will celebrate the return of The Royal Marines from Afghanistan and commemorate those killed in action.
A five movement work created by ‘British Composer Award’ winner Adam Gorb and interspersed by integral News headlines, ‘Eternal Voices’ will honour the fallen, their families and friends, serving personnel and those struggling to recover from injuries both mental and physical sustained in the service of their country. As yet the closing Headlines for the piece have yet to be written and will be gathered on the day of the concert itself.
Raising money for Royal Marines charities, the concert will also feature popular works by Karl Jenkins, Elgar, Holst, Vaughan Williams and Parry. In addition the recently premiered and highly lauded ‘Wootton Bassett’ march specially written by Major Pete Curtis (RM) in gratitude to the people of that town will also be performed.
“Eternal Voices has been the most challenging commission of my career to date” remarked Librettist Ben Kaye. The Poet spent over six months researching the background to the piece, which included visits to Hasler Company (The Royal Marines Rehabilitation Unit) and interviews with serving personnel and the families of the fallen.
“Meeting such indomitable souls as triple amputee Marine Mark Ormrod and spending time with the remarkable families of those killed in action has been a truly humbling experience. To condense their horror, grief, confusion, helplessness, anger and ultimately their resilience and pride into a twenty-minute work has been both an intense emotional journey and a Herculean challenge. To have done any less however would have been to let the literally-unsung heroes of this story fade into history without a living memorial”
Ben Kaye explains that the themes within the piece address a universal human condition as experienced by the whole of the UK’s Armed Forces. “There are many different branches, berets, badges and uniforms, but when they are carried down that ramp, they all wear the same; the Union Flag.”
Colonel Nick Grace, Director of Music, HM Royal Marines explained his reasons for commissioning such a major new work.
“I wanted to find a way to generate a living memorial that not only recognised the sacrifice Royal Marines and their families have given in modern conflict, but also for the memorial to be performed and appreciated by others.
The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Funds help Royal Marines and their families directly, especially with the recovery pathway for those who are injured and this concert can help to bring people’s attention to the vital work this charity does for our marines.
The inspiration is to highlight and recognise the sacrifices Royal Marines and their families are making at this time. Eternal Voices is a musical tribute to all of them and I hope it will become a significant major new piece for the wind band and choir repertoire.”
Those wishing to attend should be aware that The Exeter Festival Chorus regularly sells out its concerts and that early booking is advised.
Tickets for the concert at Exeter Cathedral (7.30 pm on November 20th)
are available now from
The Exeter Festival Chorus on 01392 432309
or The Exeter Phoenix Box Office on 01392 667080
September 2010
Lesley raises £3,000 for the JTYAF
Councillor Lesley Dedman the former Mayor of Ferndown has recently presented the JTYAF with a cheque for an amazing £3,000, which represents the funds raised on behalf of the foundation during Lesley’s Mayoral Year.
Lesley has been a constant supporter of the JTYAF and we are very grateful to her for her daredevil antics as she has performed all manner of crazy things in order to raise funds for the foundation. Lesley displays just the sort of have-a-go heroics that epitomised JT’s life. She joined around 30 Spartans for their annual Christmas Day Dip at the Overstrand in Boscombe, dressed as Mother Christmas and braved the icy waters (around 6degC), with style. 
Lesley made a sponsored tandem skydive with the Army Parachute Association from Netheravon airfield in Wiltshire, with all the sponsorship raised going to JT’s Foundation. Lesley suffers from vertigo, but none the less agreed to leap from a plane at 13,000 feet!
Lesley has worked tirelessly raising funds for the JTYAF arranging collections at Haskins Garden Centre, sponsorship from local businesses and community groups and remains an avid supporter of all JTYAF events.
The Thornton family and all the Trustees at the JTYAF are extremely grateful to Lesley for her exceptional support and for playing a major role in raising the awareness of the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation immediately after its formation which was extremely crucial to the foundation’s initial success. It has been an honour and an absolute pleasure to have Lesley on board and she continues to make a significant contribution to the JTYAF. A very big ‘Thank you Lesley’, from us all.
News Item from the 2010 JTYAF Hospitality Day
The JTYAF hosted its second hospitality day on Saturday 21st August at the Bournemouth Air Festival 2010.
Although the weather was more than disappointing with a cloud base of less than 500 feet which made flying impossible, in the hospitality marquee we had a very enjoyable day with our guests.
The raffle and silent auction added an exciting dimension to the day giving everyone the opportunity to bid for some exceptional prizes. Our VIP guests, Matt Snook and Pete Sunnuncks celebrated their recent success of reaching the summit of Mount Everest and were able to treat the guests to an insight of their expedition. So although there was a lack of aircraft, there was no lack of entertainment especially with the Red Arrows Pilots, the Tigers Parachute Team, the Dutch F-16 pilot and a Royal Navy Sea King Helicopter crew joining us in the marquee to the delight of our guests. With John Fay and Shambles providing constant amusement as our M.C.s it was indeed a very special experience for everyone.
The day was an amazing success with the silent auction and raffle raising £15,144 for the JTYAF. We were astounded by the generosity of the prizes that were kindly donated. We were extremely honoured to be presented with a signed Red Arrows framed print from the Red Arrows Team together with 3 VIP visit days with the Red Arrows at RAF Scampton. We also received a very special VIP visit day to RAF Marham to visit a Tornado Squadron and a visit to RAF Yeovilton which included the dreaded ‘dunker’ experience. A VIP visit to the Battle of Britain Memorial flight raised a great deal of interest and the winning bidder is in for a real treat. A unique framed 1966 England Football Shirt, signed by 9 of the original team and donated by Umbro was coveted by almost every football fan in the marquee and a fabulous white gold bracelet was a definite favourite with the ladies.
The star prize for the Raffle was tickets for two to Alicante which were donated by Jet2. The Barclays team made an excellent effort selling raffle tickets and raised an amazing £1,589 on the raffle alone.
The final prize was a little Red Arrows Teddy signed by the whole Red Arrows Team and donated by the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association. A short auction raised £71 for little ted raising the final total to an incredible £15,144.
Picture below: The members of the Red Arrows Display Team 2010, who supported the JTYAF for the second year at the JTYAF Hospitality Day at the Bournemouth Air Festival.
The trustees of the JTYAF are extremely grateful to the Red Arrows Team for taking the time, in what must have been an exhausting schedule, to show their support for the Foundation for the second year running. We would also like to thank the the Tigers Parachute Team, the Dutch F16 pilot and the Royal Navy Sea King Crew for their valuable time and support.
Our thanks and appreciation also go to Maurice Patterson, who was responsible for organising such a brilliant day, to John Fay and Shambles for making the day so enjoyable and to Matt Snook and Pete Sunnucks, for their wonderful presentation. Thank you also to all our guests for their support and generosity. It was certainly a day to remember and we hope that you will join us again in 2011.
August 2010
JTYAF selected by the Acorn Branch of the Oddfellows
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The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation is selected by the Acorn Branch of the Oddfellows |
The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation is honoured to have been selected by the Acorn Branch of the Oddfellows, as their charity of the year for 2010/2011.
Pete and Linda were invited to their annual craft show and lunch on Saturday the 31st July where they were introduced to the members and the partnership was launched. Exhibits ranging from handmade cards to vegetables were judged by a panel of adjudicators and were later auctioned to raise funds for the JTYAF. Ron Munro proved a very effective auctioneer and with the proceeds of the raffle over £200 was raised on this the first event for the Foundation. Pete and Linda were made very welcome and would like to pass on their thanks to all the members of the Acorn Branch for their hard work and support.
August 2010
Christchurch Juniors Sponsored Walk
Vicki Dibdin a class teacher from Christchurch Junior School in Dorset approached the JTYAF as she was planning a project for her students to write letters of support to the soldiers in Afghanistan. We put Vicki in touch with the Padre at 40 Commando Royal Marines and the children were delighted to have the opportunity to send the Marines ´e blueys´ with words of support from home.
The children received many thoughtful detailed responses from the Royal Marines from 40 Commando which they were able to share with each other and their families. Vicki said that the project really opened the eyes of not only her pupils but also their families to the reality of the war in Afghanistan
As a thank you for our support with this project, Vicki arranged a sponsored walk for the whole school which was held on Friday 16th July.
550 children walked all afternoon (non-stop) in a large circuit around the school grounds. Children were allowed to wear shorts and sunglasses all day to add to the event. They selected two charities, the JTYAF and an educational charity in Uganda.
The JTYAF have received an amazing £640.20 from the proceeds of the children’s sponsored walk and would like to thank Vicki, all the children at Christchurch Junior School, the staff and friends and family that supported this event so generously.
August 2010
East Dorset Education Partnership
East Dorset Education Partnership
"Achieving Excellence through Partnership"
East Dorset Education Partnership (EDEP) is a partnership between 32 schools in East Dorset designed to improve opportunities and services for all pupils through their learning and teaching. They work together to raise attainment in school communities, encourage staff to share expertise and best practice, and empower school leaders to create local strategic plans to benefit our learning communities. They aim to be one of the leading educational partnerships in the UK
EDEP organised a competition for local school children called EDEP´s Got Talent which they held at the Verwood Hub during the week of the 21st June. Children from all over the area took part and the proceeds of these evenings were donated to the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation. We are honoured and privileged to have been selected as the recipient charity for such a prestigious organisation and would like to pass on our thanks to everyone involved. This event raised an amazing £683.90 which has made a very important contribution to our continued success. It also gave us the valuable opportunity to promote the foundation amongst local young people and their families.
EDEP also organised a fun day for local young people on Saturday 3rd July at Ferndown Leisure Centre which aimed to encourage a fit and healthy lifestyle by giving local youngsters the opportunity to try a fantastic range of new activities. The Summer Blast was a brilliant event attracting young people from all over the area and the proceeds of the day were donated to the JTYAF and the Juvenille Diabetes Research Charity.
August 2010
Sainsbury’s Ferndown Making a Difference
The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation was honoured to be selected by customers and colleagues as the local charity of the year for 2009/2010 by Sainsbury´s in Ferndown. Although the partnership has now unfortunately come to an end the impact of the relationship on the success of the foundation and the opportunities they have been able to provide for local young people has exceeded all expectations.
Sainsbury´s Ferndown have shown what can be achieved by local businesses in partnership with local charities. The whole store came together helping to raise funds for and awareness of the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF). The energy, commitment, enthusiasm and the hours of time happily given up on a voluntary basis helped to raise over £4000 for the charity. Fundraising started in June 2009 at a Fashion Show to launch the partnership. They then held a mufti day for staff, sold JTYAF wristbands, had collection days and collection boxes on the tills. A Winter Wonderland fashion show in November was an amazing success and Sainsbury´s Ferndown also supported the Dorset Fire Bike Ride which was a huge event with the JTYAF one of the recipient charities.
The Summer and Winter Fashion Shows were organised entirely by Sainsbury´s colleagues and their families and many of them worked until the early hours of the morning on several occasions, to make sure that everything went smoothly. The colleagues involved ranged from Department Managers to Trolley Collectors. They produced posters, flyers and tickets, collected raffle prizes from local businesses, organised hair dressers, stage sets, models, photographers, put the outfits together, prepared an ‘after show’ buffet and drinks, arranged the choreography, compared the show, the work involved was endless. The level of support from so many of the staff was truly incredible. The shows were great fun too, the enjoyment of the colleagues was evident for all to see and the customers were astounded by the professionalism and quality of the entertainment that was provided.
The store has helped to make a real difference to young people locally, as the success of the JTYAF during their year in partnership with Sainsbury‘s has seen the allocation for awards in 2010 increase to £36,000 JTYAF awards are supporting local guides on a visit to India to work on the Doorstep Schools project, conservation trips to Peru, providing training equipment for a young National level Powerlifting Champion, funding flying lessons, badminton coaching courses, flute lessons, football coaching courses amongst many others. Natasha Wakelin from Ferndown Upper School who has recently received a JTYAF award said that “she was grateful for the doors that the JTYAF has opened for young people in Ferndown”. The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation are grateful to Sainsbury‘s Ferndown for helping to open those doors and would like to thank staff and customers for their fabulous support over the last 12 months.
Sainsbury’s General Manager Gary Gunn presenting the final cheque for £3,000 to Pete Thornton
Saturday & Sunday 12/13th June 2010
Team Ferndown ride for John
On Saturday and Sunday 12th and 13th June, eleven staff and three customers from Ferndown Leisure Centre will be getting ’on their bikes’ to ride between 10 and 230 miles in John’s memory and in support of the Dorset Fire Bike Ride. Martin Mansbridge and Lee McCumiskey from Ferndown Fire Station have organised the event and we are very grateful to them for all their hard work and also for including the JTYAF as one of their chosen charities.
The Leisure Centre staff and customers have been fantastic in their encouragement, generosity and support of the foundation and have really made an important contribution to all that the JTYAF has achieved. The Thornton family have been completely overwhelmed by such an incredible show of unity in the aim to make John's foundation a success. A massive 'thank you' to everyone who is taking part, especially Thomas Newman, Russell Harness and Jane Jory who are riding the entire 230 miles!
Riders Role of Honour
Thomas Newman - 230 miles
Jane Jory - 230miles
Russell Harness - 230 miles
Ash Ellis 18 miles
Sophie Holloway 18 miles
Helen Cakebread - 32 miles
Abbie Taylor - 66 miles
Chris Taylor - 34 miles
Janet Latham - 36 miles
Linda Thornton - 152 miles
Ray Perry - 152 miles
Inger Webb - 62 miles
Grace Garner - 62 miles
Barry Hallam - 10 miles
Team Ferndown aims to ride an amazing 1332 miles in total!
If you would like to sponsor us why not visit www.justgiving.com/dorsetfirebikeride-jtyaf where donating is simple, fast and totally secure.
Visit www.dorsetfirebikeride.co.uk to find out more about this amazing event.
Sunday 23rd May 2010- Everest for Heroes Summit Day
Matt and Pete safely home after being on the Top of the World
Below is a short extract from Pete's blog on the Everest Team's website www.everestforheroes.co.uk which gives us an insight into their experiences on top of the world. To find out more about their amazing achievement please visit their website which gives details from both Matt and Pete and their incredible Summit Day Story.
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Picture: Pete Sunnucks left and Matt Snook right, arriving home to a VIP reception.
Pete and Matt have not only gone down in history for their successful summit of Everest but also because they are the first to stand on the top of the world for Help for Heroes and of course for the JTYAF! They have raised over £12,000 for the two charities which is also an amazing achievement.
There is still time to donate, so dig deep and visit their justgiving page at www.justgiving.co.uk/everestforheroes
May 2010
Matt and Pete on Top of the World --- Everest Expedition 2010
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Congratulations to Matt Snook and Pete Sunnucks who have safely and successfully reached the summit of the highest mountain on earth. They arrived at the very peak of Mount Everest at around 7am their time on Sunday 23rd May and were resting at Camp 3 at 8200 metres before making their way back down the mountain. To summit Everest is an absolutely outstanding achievement which has seen these two young men 'climb as high as they can dream.' Matt and Pete are true legends and we look forward to hearing all about their expedition. |
Picture: Matt Snook left and Pete Sunnucks right, on Top of the World for the JTYAF and JT.
If you would like to keep up to date with the news visit www.everestforheroes.co.uk
Best wishes to them both from all at the JTYAF -we are all so proud of them If you would like to sponsor Pete and Matt, please visit www.justgiving.co.uk/everestforheroes Picture: Matt and Pete. . |
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May 2010 -
They’re Back on Track.... (Everest Expedition 2010)
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Matt Snook and Pete Sunnucks are climbing Mount Everest. On 14th April after reaching Everest Base Camp at 5300m the Expedition for Matt seemed to be all but over as he was casevac'd back to the Norvic International Hospital in Kathmandu with a suspected case of pneumonia, High Altitude Pulmonary Eodema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Eodema (HACE), all that after probably one of the worst stomach bugs he'd ever experienced! As he was helicoptered away from Pete and the rest of the team he said he felt like the dream of summiting Everest was slipping through his fingers. That was then!! |
Reaching the highest point on earth will fulfil their personal lifetime dreams. But more importantly it provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness and funds for two charities they are deeply passionate about - Help for Heroes and the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.
If you would like to keep up to date with the news
visit www.everestforheroes.co.uk
If you would like to sponsor Pete and Matt www.justgiving.co.uk/everestforheroes
March 2010
JTYAF Scholar Lisa Hicks - Best Female Lifter
Lisa competed in the Bristish Powerlifting Championships for the Bristish Drug Free Powerlifting Assocation on Saturday 27th March. She came second and achieved three personal bests, her bench lift matching the European record! Lisa won the trophy for best female lifter and should be truly proud of her achievements.
Lisa who is training with the Great Britain Team has been selected to compete for the British Drug Free Powerlifting Assiciation in the European Powerlifting Championships on the 27th June in France and is still hoping to compete in the European Championships in Norway.
All at the JTYAF wish this amazing young lady all the success she deserves.
March 2010
Forres Sandle Manor Prep School choose the JTYAF
The JTYAF were honoured to be chosen by the pupils of Forres Sandle Manor Prep School in Fordingbridge as the chosen charity for their business project.
Nine children from the school Enterprise Club formed a company and called it 'Kids In Kontrol.' The board of directors are pupils aged between 9 and 12 years and the aim of the project is to learn about business. They have organised the production of 50 'Magnoboards', a deluxe fridge magnet with room for photos and messages and they intend to sell these at a profit. The profit they make will be donated to the JTYAF.
Linda and Pete were invited to the school to give a short presentation to the students explaining a little bit about the foundation. The pupils also made an excellent sales pitch for their product which impressed Pete so much he has put in an order!
We would like to thank Mr Clarke and the students at Forres Sandle Manor School for choosing the JTYAF and wish them every success with their venture.
Tuesday 2nd March 2010
Manley Hopkinson leading an expedition to the South Pole
Manley Hopkinson, our Ambassador for the South, has a challenge of his own. In November of this year he is leading an expedition to the South Pole.
He and 6 other adventurers are walking, unsupported, hauling 90kg sleds and targeting the world record of 24 days, 8 Hours and 50 minutes to reach the pole using the Beardmore Glacier route. As Manley says “Our route is more technical and tougher than the traditional route from Hercules Inlet, but I believe it’s much faster”.
They will cross 460 miles of glaciers, crevasses and ice waves in sub zero temperatures to reach their goal.
Details can be found on his web site www.bestofbritishsouthpole.com. Have a look and follow him there while he achieves his dream.
Maybe a JTYAF wrist Band could form part of his wardrobe?
Saturday 9th January 2010
Awards of £36,000 in 2010
The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF) has announced that it will award an amazing £36,000 to local young people in 2010.
Following massive fundraising support both locally
and nationally, further expansion will see the award of a significantly
higher number of bursaries and scholarships across an even wider
range of local youth organisations in the Foundation's second year.
The JTYAF have allocated £36,000 for awards in 2010 to advance
the lives of young people from the Girl Guides, Scouts, the Dorset
Music Service, the Dorset Fire and Rescue Cadets and young employees
from Sainsbury's in Ferndown, in addition to the three core organisations,
Ferndown Upper School, the Dorset and Wilts Wing of the Air Cadets
and the Air Cadet Junior Leaders.
Applications for scholarships and bursaries for 2010 have already
been received by Alex Wills, the Head teacher, at Ferndown Upper
School and he is in the process of selecting the successful applicants.
Students' requests range from financial support for community conservation
projects and expeditions to Peru, through to equipment and training
for a young national level power lifting champion.
The support and commitment of people both locally and nationally
has enabled the foundation to make a real difference to the lives
of many young people. The JTYAF has been overwhelmed by the generosity
of their supporters and would like to express their gratitude to
everyone who has helped them to achieve so much.
November 2009
Waitrose Community Matters Scheme
 Picture: Pete Thornton receives a cheque for £265 from Mark Holloway at Waitrose in Ringwood |
The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation was nominated for November's Community Matters Scheme at the Waitrose supermarket in Ringwood. The Waitrose Community Matters Scheme donates £1,000 between 3 local good causes each month. At the checkout customers receive a token to place in the box of the good cause that they wish to support. The more tokens a cause gets the bigger the donation the cause receives. The JTYAF was lucky to receive a fantastic donation of £265 and we would like to pass on our thanks to all the Waitrose customers that voted for us. Many thanks for your support.
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Autumn 2009
JT remembered at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
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He hopes that it will remain there for quite some time. Matthew said 'it was an honour to place the wrist band at the top, the courage and bravery shown by John and the rest of the troops is incomprehensible. I can understand why Kili is a very special place to the Thornton family. It was a lot harder to climb than any of us imagined, it's amazing how the altitude just gets you and unfortunately that was the reason why two of our party didn't actually make it to the summit.' Congratulations Matthew. We are very touched that you were thinking about JT and our troops on the roof of Africa. Ahsante sana! |
17th & 18th October 2009
The Junior Leaders Tribute
Pete and Linda Thornton were honoured to be invited to visit a
JL training weekend at the Sunhill Centre in Skipton, North Yorkshire.
They were invited to the dedication of a memorial and were also
able to witness a 'snapshot' of JL activities which gave them an
insight into why the course held such a special place in John's
heart. Junior Leaders (JL) is a leadership development course aimed
at senior members of all 3 cadet forces. Junior Leaders is undoubtedly
the toughest and most rewarding course available to young people
today. The JL's are extremely fortunate to be provided with fantastic
opportunities and training from a talented and immensely dedicated
team of instructors. The Aerial Adventure Course at the Sunhill
Centre www.sunhillcentre.co.uk provided exhilarating and adrenalin charged experiences for JL development
in trust, problem solving, leadership and teamwork. Just one of
the many activities on offer for these young men and women, over
one weekend!
A large number of those who graduate from the course go on to join
the Armed Forces; however a desire to join the regular forces is
not a necessity to apply for Junior Leaders. Whatever the career
intention, the skills taught and the opportunity to practice these
skills, will undoubtedly assist the individual in either a civilian
or military career - It is the intention of the course and it's
instructors to produce well rounded young adults, well practiced
in leadership and the other skills needed to progress in their first
career choice.
Junior Leaders derive from a variety of backgrounds and may differ
in their ambitions, however, all share common characteristics, a
determination to succeed, commitment to the cause, physical and
mental strength, a sense of humour in the face of adversity, self
discipline, pride, and a desire to lead.
The dedication of the memorial was a very moving service
and a wonderful tribute to the 'Memory of JL's No Longer With
Us.' Pete and Linda were honoured to be there. |
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12th January 2009
A Great Start to 2009
The Board of Trustees are delighted to announce that the first
monies have been allocated for bursary and scholarship applications.
£3,000 has been allocated to each of the three organisations
that the Foundation supports: Dorset and Wiltshire Wing of the ATC,
Ferndown Upper School and the Junior Leaders Course.
Following the fantastic support that the charity has received in
its first year, these amounts exceed our initial expectations.
However, the overwhelming support from the public and business community
has been instrumental in the charity receiving over £30,000
of fund-raising monies in its first five months. The remainder of
the funds will be deposited to generate interest to provide further
grants in the future.
A very big thank to all who have helped make this possible - we
are sure that JT will be smiling from on high that something so
positive has materialised from such grief.
We will keep you informed of the recipients of the grants via this
News page, and via the local press.
10th January 2009
Simon Weston Pays His Respects
Falklands hero Simon
Weston OBE took time out to visit JT's family prior to the quarterly
Trustees meeting.
Together, with some of the Trustees and Ambassadors, Simon visited
JT's grave in Ferndown to pay his respects.
Simon agreed to become patron of the Foundation in November, and
is already actively engaging himself in the role.
Following the grave visit, the group then drove on to Ferndown ATC
HQ, where Simon was introduced to the Board of Trustees and presented
a memorial plaque to John's parents. The plaque has been
arranged by Sqn Ldr Vanessa Toth, OC of Ferndown ATC Squadron, and
will be proudly displayed under a portrait of John Thornton in the
reception area.
Picture:
Simon (second on left) together with some of the Ambassadors
of JT's charity, and John Fay MBE (right), Organisation Development
for the Foundation.
Tony Hambleton (second from right) joins the charity as an Ambassador
for the Royal Air Force, and Richard Millman (far left) takes on
the Ambassador role for the North of England.
Registered Charity No: 1125277 Patron:
Simon Weston OBE |