THE North Pole may be thousands of miles away from east Dorset.

But thanks to the efforts of one young cadet, the flag of a Ferndown charity has flown at one of the most remote places on earth.

Sam Livingstone of RAF Honington’s Air Cadet Junior Leaders arranged for the emblem to stand alongside the Royal Marines flag as part of a year’s worth of fundraising activities for the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF).

The organisation, which supports young people in Dorset, was established in 2008 by the parents of Royal Marine Lieutenant John Thornton, pictured left, who was killed in Afghanistan that year.

And the Sussex cadets raised a whopping £22,500 for the charity with a range of fundraising activities, including runs, rows, cycles, skydives and more.

John’s mum Linda said she was “overwhelmed” by the total.

“These amazing young people have raised an incredible £22,500 for the JTYAF, and this will make a huge difference to the opportunities that we can provide this year,” she said.

“The JTYAF is totally overwhelmed by the support of these remarkable young people. Their commitment to the Foundation and the support and encouragement that they provide is nothing short of inspiring.”

Teenager Sam raised the highest individual amount, netting £1,300 by arranging for the Royal Marines to display the charity’s flag, and with a skydive.

But Linda said everyone involved had given their all to the fundraising, smashing last year’s total of £17,000.

“£22,500 will make a massive difference to the opportunities that the JTYAF is able to provide for young people,” Linda said.

“It will fund both the Junior Leaders’ Kenya and Nepal expeditions and finance our awards to young people from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme in Dorset, together with local divisions of the Guides and the Scouts.”