FERNDOWN teenagers are off to Africa, Canada and Japan, carry out good deeds and take the ballroom dancing world by storm, thanks to £17,000 funds.

A group of 26 Ferndown Upper School students are set to see their dreams come true after being awarded John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation scholarships and bursaries.

John’s parents Linda and Peter handed out the cheques at his old school .

Jasmine Pidgley, who is on Team GB for the Taekwando World Championships in Canada in August, picked up £1,800.

Jasmine, 16, has been playing since she was six.

“This is my lifelong ambition,” she said.

Stephanie Enderby, 17, will spend a year at an orphanage and primary school in Malawi, Africa.

Accepting her £1,900, Stephanie said: “It’s really cheesy but I like helping people. It feels good.

“I’ll be paired up with a complete stranger for the year.”

More than 20 other students received bursaries.