A FOUNDATION established in memory of young Royal Marine John Thornton, who lost his life in Afghanistan, will be giving out a staggering £65,000 this year.

Thanks to dedicated fundraising, including a Mount Everest climb, the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF) has managed to more than double the £30,000 of bursaries and scholarships it handed to young people in 2010.

Youngsters will be carefully picked from across 11 organisations to share the sum – but they’ll all have to demonstrate the foundation’s key values of courage, determination, unselfishness and cheerfulness in adversity.

Applications at Ferndown Upper School, where John attended, have come in from national competitors in ice skating, swimming and horse riding. Other requests being considered by Headteacher Alex Wills include funding work expeditions to India, Kenya and Serbia.

For John’s parents Linda and Peter, who established JTYAF after his death in 2008 at the age of just 22, it is a fitting tribute to a boy who flew with the Red Arrows and travelled across New Zealand.

Peter said: “The school invited me in to help interview the dozen or so pupils who want a scholarship. We’re looking for commitment and enthusiasm, and it was brilliant to see that coming through as they explained their plans.”

Other beneficiaries include Beaucroft Foundation School, Ferndown Middle School, Dorset Music Service and the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service Cadets.

Mr and Mrs Thornton would like to thank all the fundraisers, including John’s friends Matt Snook and Pete Sunnucks for their Everest expedition. Mr Thornton added: “It’s been an exceptional year, and we hope it continues. We’d love to reach these heights again.”