Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I set out to run 457km in 40 days, this is a km for every fallen British solider in Afghanistan. This gruelly challenge will see 11.5km run every day, I hope to honour their sacrifice appropriately, to continue the legacy of Lt John Thornton.

The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF) honours the life of Lt John ‘JT’ Thornton RM, from Ferndown, Dorset, who was tragically killed in southern Afghanistan on 30th March 2008.

John commissioned into the Royal Marines in August 2004, 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.

John lived his dream and died doing the job he loved. The aim of the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation is to encourage and assist young people to ‘climb as high as they can dream.’ Whatever their dream, we hope to help them achieve it.

Recipients of the Charity’s Young Achievers Awards are selected for their demonstration of the Foundation’s key values: courage, determination, unselfishness and cheerfulness in adversity.

Since its formation in 2008 the JTYAF has made awards to almost 2200 young people which total £850,000.

My fundraiser is linked to Junior leaders a course within the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. The course requires a fundraiser for JTYAF as John himself was a member of the course in 2004, achieving the Top Student for his excellence. The fundraiser challenge starts January 23, words cant describe how appreciative i would be if the goal can be reached. I will dedicate each day to 11 new lives and the list can be seen on my instagram @hnaughton

Thank you again

-Henry