The Air Cadet Junior Leaders on this year's course XVI have raised an incredible £24,500 for the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation. A huge amount which will make a massive difference to the opportunities that the charity can provide for young people in the coming year.

The Air Cadets Junior Leaders Course is physically and mentally demanding and requires real commitment and determination. Almost 180 Air Cadets applied for Course XVI and with 59 students recently completing the nine month course, it gives an indication of the high standard that must be achieved. 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 Two 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.

As part of the assessment the Junior Leaders are tasked with planning, organising and implementing a fundraising activity or event and the JTYAF is privileged to be the recipient charity for these activities. The Junior Leaders on Course XVI organised a whole range of fundraising events and challenges. From Skydives to Drumathons, Coast to Coast Cycles, Half Marathons and even a Unicycle over Forth Bridge the Junior Leaders inspired their friends and family to support them in their innovative fundraising challenges. Many JL's took on extremely tough physical challenges, with hundreds of miles cycled, the Welsh 3000's summitted, the Yorkshire 3 Peaks and the Dorset Coast Path completed to name but a few.

The JTYAF is totally overwhelmed by the support of these remarkable young people. Their commitment to John's Foundation and the support and encouragement that they provide is nothing short of inspiring. We are also extremely grateful to the Junior Leader’s friends and families for their kindness and generosity.

£24,500 is an incredible achievement and will make a massive difference to the opportunities that the JTYAF is able to provide for young people. It will not only fund the Junior Leaders volunteering expedition to Ghana later this year but will also finance all the JTYAF awards to young people from the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole, the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service Cadets, the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service Prince's Trust Scheme and the Guides.