FOR the family of a Ferndown man killed in southern Afghanistan eight years ago, Remembrance Sunday is another opportunity to look back on his life with great pride.

Pete and Linda Thornton's son John was just 22 when he died on March 30 2008.

But he had achieved a huge amount in that time, climbing Kilimanjaro, flying with the Red Arrows, qualifying as a sky diver and working as an officer in the Royal Marines.

Since his death, the Thorntons have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to help young people in Dorset to achieve their dreams through the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.

Pete said: "This time of year is all about John for us.

"It's a difficult one.

"We're attending a remembrance event at Westminster Abbey on Thursday, and then on Sunday we'll be at St Mary's in Ferndown."

John, a pupil of Ferndown Upper School, first joined 2358 (Ferndown) Sqn Air Cadets in 1998, rising to the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer before leaving in 2004 to join the Royal Marines.

He was subsequently appointed to serve with 40 Commando Royal Marines in January 2007 and deployed to Afghanistan in September of that year in command of Charlie Company’s Fire Support Group.

John died a fortnight before he was due to return home.

Inspired by his courage, Pete and Linda set up the charity in his name to ensure others can achieve their dreams.

Pete said: "A thousand people have been directly supported by the JTYAF.

"We've raised around £428,000 over the years so far.

"It's nice for us to be able to do something like this in John's memory.

"We think John would be pretty happy and maybe a bit embarrassed."

This year, Pete and Linda handed over the keys to a 16-seater minibus, which will serve Ferndown Upper School, Ferndown Middle School, West Moors Middle School, Beaucroft Foundation School, Ferndown First School, Parley First School and the town's air cadet squadron.

The charity has paid the lease for the vehicle for the next five years.

The foundation has also helped students from the Victoria School to visit Nasa in the USA as part of their Duke of Edinburgh gold award.

"We've worked with lots of different people, helping to fund everything from yoga mats to minibuses and trips to Ghana," Pete said.