A total of 19 local youth organisations will benefit this year from a share of £85,000 from the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation, which is based in Ferndown.

This funding will support local young people by providing them with scholarships and bursaries helping their personal development and the pursuit of their ambitions.

The charity was set up in 2008 in memory of Lieutenant John Thornton RM who was tragically killed in Afghanistan while serving with 40 Commando Royal Marines.  The aim of the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation is to encourage and assist young people to ‘climb as high as they can dream.’

At a recent meeting, the trustees selected organisations for funding including Ferndown Upper School, Ferndown First and Middle Schools, Beaucroft Foundation School, the Guides and Scouts and the Bournemouth Sea Cadets and Royal Marine Cadets. Funding was also set aside for young people who are not members of any of the supported organisations, increasing the reach and diversity of the foundation within the community.

Since the charity was formed in 2008, £935,000 has been awarded to almost 2,500 individual young people together with countless whole school and group projects. The charity has also funded the lease of a 17-seater minibus for the last seven years, which serves all the local schools and numerous youth organisations.