The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £94,318 (2023-24)
• Total Awarded Since 2008: Over £1 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Reviewed throughout the year; decisions made by trustees by majority vote
• Grant Range: Awards vary by need; examples range from small equipment grants to travel and training support
• Geographic Focus: Dorset and Wiltshire, England
• Registered Charity Number: 1125277

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 7124, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 2DB

Website: www.jtyaf.org

Email: jtyaf@outlook.com

Phone: 07792121645

Overview

The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF) was established in 2008 in memory of Lieutenant John “JT” Thornton RM, who was killed in Afghanistan on 30th March 2008 at the age of 22. Since its formation, JTYAF has supported more than 200 group and whole school projects and made awards to over 2,500 young people, totaling more than £1 million. The foundation supports young people from a wide range of youth organizations in Dorset and Wiltshire, providing scholarships and bursaries to support their personal development and the pursuit of their ambitions. Operating with an entirely volunteer board of trustees and no paid staff or premises, JTYAF ensures that virtually all funds raised are directly invested in young people. In their latest financial year (ending April 2024), the charity had a total income of £97,097 and expenditure of £94,318. The foundation's patron is Simon Weston OBE, a hero of the Falklands Conflict who was admired by John Thornton himself.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Awards Through Youth Organizations

JTYAF primarily works through approximately 18-20 partner youth organizations in Dorset and Wiltshire. Young people apply through their youth group, and award decisions are typically made by the youth organization itself. The upper age limit for applicants is 22 years at the date of application. Recent annual allocations have included £85,800 distributed across 19 local youth organizations.

Discretionary Fund

Available to young people in Dorset and Wiltshire who are not members of JTYAF's partner organizations. Requests are considered for financial awards to fund travel costs, activities, training, and equipment aimed at supporting personal development and the pursuit of ambitions.

Ferndown Only Fund

A dedicated fund to support young people who are Ferndown residents but members of organizations not currently supported by JTYAF.

Priority Areas

JTYAF supports young people pursuing diverse ambitions including:

• Educational development and training opportunities
• Sports and physical activities (powerlifting, swimming, athletics)
• Arts and cultural pursuits (music scholarships)
• International travel and cultural exchanges
• Leadership development (Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Air Training Corps, Sea Cadets, Junior Leaders)
• Equipment and resources needed for personal development
• School and group projects (library refurbishments, assistance dogs for special schools)

Recipients are selected for demonstrating the foundation's key values: courage, determination, unselfishness, and cheerfulness in adversity - qualities that John Thornton exemplified in his life.

What They Don't Fund

• Young people outside Dorset and Wiltshire
• Applicants over 22 years of age
• Retrospective costs
• Activities that do not contribute to personal development

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Governance and Leadership

Family Trustees

• Linda Thornton BEM (John's mother)
• Peter Thornton (John's father)
• Ian Thornton (John's brother)

Treasurer

• Simon Puddle (Sure Accounting Limited)

Business and Community Trustees

• Geoff Beck MBCS
• Mark Berry
• John C. Fay MBE
• Tony Hambleton
• Phil Jones
• Maurice Patterson MBE
• Matt Snook
• Vanessa Toth
• Andy Martin
• Joe Barnett

Honorary Trustee

• Alex Wills

Patron

• Simon Weston OBE - Falklands War veteran who was admired by John Thornton

Key Quote from Simon Weston: “Lt John Thornton RM laid down his life for our country and I am honoured and privileged to be invited to be the Patron of the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.”

Operational Note: The trustees stated, “The Trustees are all volunteers. The JTYAF has no paid staff and no premises so virtually all of the funds raised are directly invested in young people.” No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Young People in Partner Organizations

If you are a member of one of JTYAF's 18-20 partner youth organizations (including schools, Scouts, Guides, Duke of Edinburgh's Award groups, Sea Cadets, Air Training Corps, and others in Dorset and Wiltshire), your youth group will manage the application process internally. Awards are primarily decided by your youth organization.

For the Discretionary Fund

Applications must be:

• Completed by the young person themselves
• Supported by a letter of endorsement from a significant adult or teacher
• Sent to: JTYAF, PO Box 7124, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 2DB
• Or submitted via the online application form on the JTYAF website

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must live in Dorset or Wiltshire
• Must be under 22 years old at the date of application
• Must demonstrate the foundation's key values: courage, determination, unselfishness, and cheerfulness in adversity

Decision Timeline

• Applications are reviewed throughout the year (no fixed deadlines)
• Applications are considered by JTYAF Trustees
• Decisions are made by majority vote
• Funding is limited and allocated on an ongoing basis
• Specific decision timeframes are not publicly disclosed
• Neither organizations nor trustees respond to requests for information from applicants who are not granted a bursary
• All decisions are final

Success Rates

JTYAF does not publicly disclose application numbers or success rates. However, since 2008, the foundation has supported over 2,500 young people through more than 200 group and whole school projects.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation states that “all decisions are final” and does not provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants. There is no publicly available information about whether unsuccessful applicants can reapply or any waiting periods that might apply. Prospective reapplicants should contact JTYAF directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrating Core Values

Applications that clearly demonstrate John Thornton's values are prioritized. The foundation looks for evidence of:

• Courage - taking on challenges and showing bravery in pursuing ambitions
• Determination - persistence in working towards goals despite obstacles
• Unselfishness - considering others and contributing to the community
• Cheerfulness in adversity - maintaining a positive attitude when facing difficulties

Personal Development Focus

Successful applications articulate how the funding will support the applicant's personal growth and help them “develop as individuals and fulfill their ambitions.” The foundation's motto encourages young people to “climb as high as they can dream.”

Evidence and Endorsement

Applications require detailed evidence of values demonstrated, supported by a letter from a significant adult or teacher who can attest to the young person's character and potential.

Examples of Funded Activities

Based on documented awards, JTYAF has funded:

• Lisa Hicks (Powerlifting): Physiotherapy, training expenses, equipment, travel, and competition expenses - she subsequently broke three British records and achieved her ambition of joining the GB team
• Isabella Zhang: Music scholarships awarded in 2011 and 2012
• Chloe McCormack (Air Cadet Junior Leader): Trip to Kenya described as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”
• Ferndown Upper School: £11,000 towards library refurbishment
• Beaucroft Foundation School: Funding for an assistance dog

Connection to John Thornton's Legacy

Understanding John Thornton's life story strengthens applications. John was a Royal Marine officer who climbed Kilimanjaro, flew with the Red Arrows, traveled across New Zealand, qualified as a skydiver, and served with distinction in Iraq and Afghanistan - all before age 22. He set his sights on becoming a Royal Marine officer at age 13 and worked tirelessly to achieve it.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Values-driven selection: Applications must clearly demonstrate courage, determination, unselfishness, and cheerfulness in adversity - these are non-negotiable criteria
• Geographic restriction: Only young people living in Dorset or Wiltshire under age 22 are eligible
• Dual pathways: If your young person is part of a partner organization, work through that organization; otherwise, use the Discretionary Fund
• Self-advocacy is valued: Young people must complete applications themselves (with adult support/endorsement), reflecting the foundation's focus on personal development
• Rolling basis with limited funds: Apply as soon as ready rather than waiting for deadlines, as funding is allocated throughout the year until exhausted
• Volunteer-run efficiency: With 100% volunteer trustees and no overhead costs, the foundation maximizes direct investment in young people
• No feedback on rejections: All decisions are final with no explanations provided, so ensure applications are comprehensive and compelling on first submission
• Diverse ambitions welcomed: From sports to arts to academics to adventure - the foundation supports varied pathways to personal development

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Hays Travel Foundation
• The Elmgrant Trust
• The Connaught Trust
• The Syder Foundation
• Chippenham Borough Lands Charity
• The Portishead Nautical Trust
• Dorset Community Foundation
• The Gibbons Family Trust
• Shaftesbury Trinity Centre Trust
• THE VALENTINE CHARITABLE TRUST

References

• JTYAF Official Website - About Page. https://www.jtyaf.org/about/. Accessed 2 February 2026.
• JTYAF Official Website - Discretionary Fund Page. https://www.jtyaf.org/discretionary-fund. Accessed 2 February 2026.
• JTYAF Official Website - Trustees Page. https://www.jtyaf.org/trustees. Accessed 2 February 2026.
• JTYAF Official Website - Our Work Page. https://www.jtyaf.org/our-work/. Accessed 2 February 2026.
• JTYAF Official Website - Our Patron Page. https://www.jtyaf.org/our-patron. Accessed 2 February 2026.
• JTYAF Official Website - Partners Page. https://www.jtyaf.org/partners. Accessed 2 February 2026.
• UK Charity Commission - THE JOHN THORNTON YOUNG ACHIEVERS FOUNDATION Charity Overview. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1125277. Accessed 2 February 2026.
• JTYAF Blog - Five Years of JTYAF. https://www.jtyaf.org/blog/five-years-of-jtyaf. Accessed 2 February 2026.
• Dorset View - “JTYAF awards £85,000 to support local young people”. https://www.dorsetview.co.uk/jtyaf-awards-85000-to-support-local-young-people/. Accessed 2 February 2026.
• UK Government Fatality Notice - “Lieutenant John Thornton and Marine David Marsh killed in Afghanistan”. https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/lieutenant-john-thornton-and-marine-david-marsh-killed-in-afghanistan. Accessed 2 February 2026.
• Commando Veterans - “THORNTON, John David”. https://www.commandoveterans.org/JohnThornton40Commando. Accessed 2 February 2026.