THE legacy of a Royal Marine lives on five years to the day after he was killed in the war in Afghanistan.

Lieutenant John Thornton was just 22 and a few weeks away from the end of his tour when he was killed in action on March 30, 2008.

Shortly after his death John’s parents, Peter and Linda, launched the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation in his memory.

The foundation supports young people from youth organisations in Dorset by issuing scholarships and bursaries to help them achieve their dreams.

The Thorntons will mark the anniversary of John’s death with a walk to the Royal Marine memorial on Emmett’s Hill, Chapman’s Pool in the Purbecks.

Peter said: “We will just go out there and take a few moments to remember John. It is one of those days you want to mark and you want to get through.”

They also intend to head to John’s local, The Angel in Ferndown, with brother Ian and friends to toast John.

This month £15,000 was handed out by the JTYAF to more than 30 pupils at Ferndown Upper School.

By the end of this year a staggering £230,000 will have been awarded to more than 500 young people.

Speaking about the success of the foundation, Peter said: “I think John would have had mixed feelings about it really. He would think – it’s absolutely brilliant that the money is going towards things that he would love to have been involved in. But he didn’t like to make a fuss so would probably be a little embarrassed.

“It is quite frightening how quickly the foundation has grown but it is so lovely that John is being remembered still by so many people to help young people achieve their dreams.

“It brings us a great deal of comfort.”