Each year JCI Barnsley chooses one charity to support through donations and the giving of their time,  This year President, Kirstie Barnett, has choosen Help For Heroes as JCI Barnsley's charity in their Diamond Anniversary Year.

On the 9th November 2011 Private Matthew Thornton sadly lost his life in a conflict in Helmand. He was out on patrol at a checkpoint when he and his fellow compatriots were attacked and Private Thornton was caught in a road side IED explosion and unfortunately lost his life.

Private Thornton was a member of the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment and just 28 years old when his life was cut short. On the day of his funeral in late November the streets of Darton in Barnsley were lined with hundreds of locals paying their respects.
Private Thornton's family have set out to raise £100,000 for Help for Heroes, the charity which provides practical support for our injured servicemen and women.

President Kirstie Barnett says about the charity "I know the local community can pull together to be able to look back this time next year and feel proud that we did our bit to support the Thorton family and Help for Heroes."