The founders of a local young people’s charity are running a fundraiser to celebrate their deceased son’s birthday.
On the 12th of April 2025 it would have been their sons 40th birthday, so they are hosting a fundraiser named 40 for JT, where they aim to raise £5,000 pound for local youth. Anyone can get involved and raise money by doing any activity 40 times, such as running 40 miles or baking 40 cupcakes.
John Thornton Young Achiever’s Foundation (JTYAF) was set up by his parents Pete and Linda after John passed away serving in Afghanistan. The pair run it together as a non-profit volunteer-based organisation.
After finding out about their son John’s death, Pete Thornton, said: “The words ‘totally devastated’ spring to mind but it’s not accurate really you just can’t describe the feeling its emptiness.”
The charity supports young people in the Dorset area and provides them with scholarships and bursaries to support their ambitions.
JTYAF now supports over 20 organisations in Dorset and Wiltshire with three of them being organisations their son had attended on his journey to be an officer in the marines.
They aim to honour his legacy through the charity.
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