Ferndown students reach for their dreams with help from JTYAF

A group of outstanding young people from Ferndown Upper School were presented with scholarships and bursaries from JTYAF on 6 February to help develop their talents.

Seven scholarships were awarded to students to support them in a range of activities from volunteering expeditions to Thailand and Kenya, to helping with the purchase of musical instruments. An extremely talented young man is also a step closer to achieving his ambition of becoming a professional golfer.

A group of 18 students received a contribution towards their volunteering trip to Africa and another 21 bursaries were presented which included badminton coaching and equipment for a county player, competition entry fees and licences for a top ranking cyclist, archery equipment, a diving course, photography equipment, and lap tops to support students with additional needs.

Pete Thornton said, “This really is the best day of the year for the JTYAF and a real privilege for the charity to play a part in helping these amazing young people to develop their talents and pursue their ambitions

“John was himself a student at the school making the awards presentation an extremely special day for the charity. It’s a very special day for the students too, with award-winners having the opportunity to chat about their ambitions and achievements with local dignitaries and charity trustees before the event.”

The JTYAF was set up in memory of 22-year-old Lt John Thornton RM from Ferndown who was tragically killed in southern Afghanistan in 2008. The charity announced last month that it had allocated £85,000 for awards to young people in 2017.