Not for Profit
Published: February 16, 2021 | Updated: 16th February 2021
“We’re in total awe of you.”
The words of Pete and Linda Thornton in response to an ‘Around the World’ virtual challenge.
So far it’s raised nearly £15,000 for the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF).
Held from February 1 to 28, participants aim to collectively walk, run, cycle or swim around the world.
The target distance is 40,750 km.
As of February 15, and with 251 people signed up, nearly 30,000 km had been completed and £14,774 raised.
The challenge has been organised by the Air Cadet Junior Leaders Course in support of the JTYAF.
All past Air Cadet Junior Leaders were invited to take part from courses which span over 20 years.
They have been joined by their friends, family, colleagues and many others who have been motivated to take on the challenge.
Each individual sets their own personal challenge as well as working as part of a team.
Pete and Linda are the parents of John who was killed while on active service in southern Afghanistan with 40 Commando Royal Marines.
He was 22 and the JTYAF was established in his honour.
While an Air Cadet, John completed the Junior Leaders course and was named as the top student on his course.
After completing the course, he was invited to become an instructor and help inspire the next generation of Junior Leaders.
Every course since 2010 has raised money for the JTYAF.
To date, Junior Leaders have raised £187,000 for the foundation.
More than 70 Junior Leaders have benefited from support from the JTYAF including expeditions to Tanzania, Kenya, Nepal and Ghana.
The Junior Leaders course is the RAF Air Cadets’ premier leadership course, taking place over several weekends.
The course uses fieldcraft as a medium to teach leadership to 17 to 19-year-old Air Cadets who gain an ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management) and Fieldcraft Instructor qualification throughout the course.
In a Facebook video message, played at the weekend to participants when the total had reached £13,000, Pete said: “We are in total awe of you.
“We can’t thank you enough.
“£13,000 raised already is an absolutely amazing and awesome amount.”
Linda added: “We need your support more than ever.
“We are incredibly touched at your support.”
Pete, Chair of the JTYAF, said: “We have an incredibly special partnership with the Junior Leaders Course and this challenge is testament to that.
“John was respected by all those on the course who knew him.
“Every penny raised by this challenge will ensure that his legacy lives on, helping young people to achieve their ambitions.”
To find out more, or to take part in the challenge, please click here.
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Pupils can grow food all year round with help from JTYAF
The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation has made its first award for 2021 to West Moors Middle School.
It’s a new organisation to be supported by the foundation this year.
The JTYAF has provided funding to help with the purchase of a polytunnel which will be sited in the school grounds and give pupils the space needed to grow food all year round.
Pete Thornton, Chair, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the emotional health and wellbeing of young people and the project aims to provide support for their social and emotional needs.
“The mental health benefits of regular gardening are proven.
“Not only can regular gardening reduce problems like depression and anxiety it can also reduce stress.
“The therapeutic gardening tasks, such as potting and weeding, will provide a positive focus for the children, as opposed to the worries of coronavirus and any problems that they may be experiencing at home.
“It will also give them access to a whole range of outdoor learning opportunities and they will be able to use the fruit and vegetables that they grow in cookery lessons.”
Deborah Craddock, Headteacher, pictured with pupils, said: “We are all incredibly excited about this project in our school community.
“It would not have been possible without JTYAF’s support.”
