A friend of the Duke of Cambridge has died attempting to make a solo crossing of Antarctica to raise money for one of the Duke's charities.
Kensington Palace announced that Henry Worsley, 55, died in hospital in Chile, where he had undergone surgery after falling ill with bacterial peritonitis just 30 miles short of his goal.
The Duke, who was Patron of the expedition, said he was "incredibly proud" of the former SAS officer's effort, which raised more than £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, part of the Duke's Royal Foundation charity.
Mr Worsley was trying to complete the journey that his hero Sir Ernest Shackleton failed to achieve 100 years ago in 1916. He was descended from Frank Worsley, the captain of Shackleton's ship Endurance.
Prince William's friend Henry Worsley dies trying to recreate Shackleton's Antarctic crossing
Duke of Cambridge praises "courage and determination" of former SAS officer who was raising money for the Duke's Endeavour Fund with polar trip
By Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter
25 Jan 2016
The Telegraph
42 Comments
A friend of the Duke of Cambridge has died attempting to make a solo crossing of Antarctica to raise money for one of the Duke's charities.
Kensington Palace announced that Henry Worsley, 55, died in hospital in Chile, where he had undergone surgery after falling ill with bacterial peritonitis just 30 miles short of his goal.
The Duke of Cambridge with Henry Worsley Photo: John Stillwell/PA
The Duke, who was Patron of the expedition, said he was "incredibly proud" of the former SAS officer's effort, which raised more than £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, part of the Duke's Royal Foundation charity.
Mr Worsley was trying to complete the journey that his hero Sir Ernest Shackleton failed to achieve 100 years ago in 1916. He was descended from Frank Worsley, the captain of Shackleton's ship Endurance.
Henry Worsley
Mr Worsley's widow Joanna said: "It is with heartbroken sadness I let you know that my husband Henry Worsley has died following complete organ failure; despite all efforts of ALE and medical staff at the Clinica Magallanes in Punta Arenas, Chile.
"Henry achieved his Shackleton Solo goals: of raising over £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, to help his wounded colleagues, and so nearly completing the first unsupported crossing of the Antarctic landmass.
"A crossing made, under exceptionally difficult weather conditions, to mark the 100th anniversary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition – his lifelong hero.
"On behalf of myself and family I wish to thank the many hundreds of you who have shown unfailing support to Henry throughout his courageous final challenge and great generosity to the Endeavour Fund. Donations now total over £106,773."
The Duke of Cambridge rang Mr Worsley at Christmas Photo: Kensington Palace @KensingtonRoyal
Mrs Worsley had flown to Chile as soon as she heard her husband was ill, but sadly did not manage to reach the hospital before he died on Sunday night.
The Endeavour Fund, managed by the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, supports injured veterans who want to take up an adventurous challenge as a way of helping their rehabilitation.
Mr Worsley first befriended the Duke of Cambridge in 2011 when the Duke agreed to be patron of the Scott-Amundsen Centenary Race, in which Mr Worsley led a team of six soldiers along the original 1912 route taken by Roald Amundsen, the man who was first to the South Pole.
The Duke said: "Harry and I are very sad to hear of the loss of Henry Worsley. He was a man who showed great courage and determination and we are incredibly proud to be associated with him.
"Even after retiring from the Army, Henry continued to show selfless commitment to his fellow servicemen and women, by undertaking this extraordinary Shackleton solo expedition on their behalf.
"We have lost a friend, but he will remain a source of inspiration to us all, especially those who will benefit from his support to the Endeavour Fund.
"We will now make sure that his family receive the support they need at this terribly difficult time."
Mr Worsley arrived in Antarctica last November to embark on his goal of completing the first ever unsupported and unassisted crossing of the Antarctic. He had spent 71 days trekking across the ice in temperatures as low as -44C, pulling a sled containing his tent and supplies.
A former Lt Col, he was a veteran of two other Antarctic expeditions. But he had to be airlifted off the ice on January 22nd suffering from peritonitis, a swelling of the abdomen caused by an infection. His 56-year-old wife was with him in Chile when he died.
At Christmas Prince William phoned him to say he was doing a "cracking job" and wished him luck for the rest of his trip.
Prince William's friend Henry Worsley dies trying to recreate Shackleton's Antarctic crossing - Telegraph
Kensington Palace announced that Henry Worsley, 55, died in hospital in Chile, where he had undergone surgery after falling ill with bacterial peritonitis just 30 miles short of his goal.
The Duke, who was Patron of the expedition, said he was "incredibly proud" of the former SAS officer's effort, which raised more than £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, part of the Duke's Royal Foundation charity.
Mr Worsley was trying to complete the journey that his hero Sir Ernest Shackleton failed to achieve 100 years ago in 1916. He was descended from Frank Worsley, the captain of Shackleton's ship Endurance.
Prince William's friend Henry Worsley dies trying to recreate Shackleton's Antarctic crossing
Duke of Cambridge praises "courage and determination" of former SAS officer who was raising money for the Duke's Endeavour Fund with polar trip
By Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter
25 Jan 2016
The Telegraph
A friend of the Duke of Cambridge has died attempting to make a solo crossing of Antarctica to raise money for one of the Duke's charities.
Kensington Palace announced that Henry Worsley, 55, died in hospital in Chile, where he had undergone surgery after falling ill with bacterial peritonitis just 30 miles short of his goal.
The Duke of Cambridge with Henry Worsley Photo: John Stillwell/PA
The Duke, who was Patron of the expedition, said he was "incredibly proud" of the former SAS officer's effort, which raised more than £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, part of the Duke's Royal Foundation charity.
Mr Worsley was trying to complete the journey that his hero Sir Ernest Shackleton failed to achieve 100 years ago in 1916. He was descended from Frank Worsley, the captain of Shackleton's ship Endurance.
Henry Worsley
Mr Worsley's widow Joanna said: "It is with heartbroken sadness I let you know that my husband Henry Worsley has died following complete organ failure; despite all efforts of ALE and medical staff at the Clinica Magallanes in Punta Arenas, Chile.
"Henry achieved his Shackleton Solo goals: of raising over £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, to help his wounded colleagues, and so nearly completing the first unsupported crossing of the Antarctic landmass.
"A crossing made, under exceptionally difficult weather conditions, to mark the 100th anniversary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition – his lifelong hero.
"On behalf of myself and family I wish to thank the many hundreds of you who have shown unfailing support to Henry throughout his courageous final challenge and great generosity to the Endeavour Fund. Donations now total over £106,773."
The Duke of Cambridge rang Mr Worsley at Christmas Photo: Kensington Palace @KensingtonRoyal
Mrs Worsley had flown to Chile as soon as she heard her husband was ill, but sadly did not manage to reach the hospital before he died on Sunday night.
The Endeavour Fund, managed by the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, supports injured veterans who want to take up an adventurous challenge as a way of helping their rehabilitation.
Mr Worsley first befriended the Duke of Cambridge in 2011 when the Duke agreed to be patron of the Scott-Amundsen Centenary Race, in which Mr Worsley led a team of six soldiers along the original 1912 route taken by Roald Amundsen, the man who was first to the South Pole.
The Duke said: "Harry and I are very sad to hear of the loss of Henry Worsley. He was a man who showed great courage and determination and we are incredibly proud to be associated with him.
"Even after retiring from the Army, Henry continued to show selfless commitment to his fellow servicemen and women, by undertaking this extraordinary Shackleton solo expedition on their behalf.
"We have lost a friend, but he will remain a source of inspiration to us all, especially those who will benefit from his support to the Endeavour Fund.
"We will now make sure that his family receive the support they need at this terribly difficult time."
Mr Worsley arrived in Antarctica last November to embark on his goal of completing the first ever unsupported and unassisted crossing of the Antarctic. He had spent 71 days trekking across the ice in temperatures as low as -44C, pulling a sled containing his tent and supplies.
A former Lt Col, he was a veteran of two other Antarctic expeditions. But he had to be airlifted off the ice on January 22nd suffering from peritonitis, a swelling of the abdomen caused by an infection. His 56-year-old wife was with him in Chile when he died.
At Christmas Prince William phoned him to say he was doing a "cracking job" and wished him luck for the rest of his trip.
Prince William's friend Henry Worsley dies trying to recreate Shackleton's Antarctic crossing - Telegraph
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