Todays presentation of award (Thursday) to the students at Ferndown Upper School is the best day of the year for the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF). The successful award applicants are talented students with a whole range of aspirations for the future and the JTYAF is privileged to be able to give them the opportunity to develop and ‘follow their dreams.’
This year saw 36 young people receive 34 awards ranging from a bursary of £160 to fund piano lessons, up to scholarships of £1,800 to provide support for volunteering expeditions to India and Thailand. A group award was also presented to three young ladies from Ferndown Netball Club who applied for funding for a new netball kit and the JTYAF was delighted to support them.
Over £15,000 was awarded to the FUS students, which takes the total awards made since 2008 to £260,000 which has supported more than 600 young people from 16 local youth organisations. Although the totals are impressive it’s the difference that the foundation has made to so many young lives that is important and John would be extremely proud of his legacy, particularly at his old school.
