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My name is Elliot Emberton and I am a student on the Air Cadet Junior Leaders’ Course 20, a leadership and management course run through the Air Training Corps and has become known as the Air Cadet Organisation’s toughest course

Not for the faint-hearted, the Air Cadets Junior Leaders Course is physically demanding and requires real commitment and determination. The course, which runs from September to Easter, involves nine weekend training camps and an assessment week. A big step up from the other Cadet Leadership Courses, the Junior Leaders Course is aimed at cadets 17 years or older in the year they begin the course. It’s also open to Sea Cadets and Army Cadets and culminates in the award of a Level Three Certificate in Team Leadership from the Institute of Leadership and Management. This is the toughest but most rewarding of the Air Cadets leadership courses – any Cadet that makes it through has the makings of a very successful leader.

In order for me to complete the course, I have to raise £500 for the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF). In order to raise money for this charity I have decided to take part in a 100 mile cycle ride on
the 9th of March, 2019.

I will be doing this cycle ride alongside with my dad (not sure my dad who is fast approaching 50 and out of shape realises what he has let himself in for) and our aim will be to complete this in a day.

About John Thornton

John Thornton  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. Among his many achievements were a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a parachute course at Weston-on-the Green, an RAF Marksman qualification and taking in part in the Nijmegen Marches on two occasions.

He was named top student on the challenging Air Cadet Junior Leaders’ Course – the achievement recognized by a memorable flight with the Red Arrows at RAF Scampton. 

John commissioned into the Royal Marines in August 2004. After completing a gruelling 15 months of Young Officer training and being awarded the coveted green beret, his first appointment was a Platoon Commander with the 1st Battalion The Devon and Dorset Light Infantry with whom he deployed to Iraq, serving with distinction on Op TELIC 8.

He was subsequently appointed to serve with 40 Commando Royal Marines in January 2007 and was “thrilled at the prospect of leading Marines on operations.” He deployed to Afghanistan in September 2007 in command of Charlie Company’s Fire Support Group and it was in this role that he excelled throughout Op HERRICK 7, until he was tragically killed 2 weeks away from coming home safely.

JTYAF was then created in memory of John, and to raise money for many young achievers around the world so they can "Climb as high as they can dream". Not only the charity raises the money, but with the help of a handful of Junior leaders, they volunteer to travel to Ghana, in Africa, to build facilities in order to give other children an education.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Every donation is highly valued, and it would mean a great deal to me.

Thank You,

Elliot.