You’re doing a cracking job, Duke tells Polar explorer
Former Army officer attempts the Antarctic challenge that thwarted Sir Ernest Shackleton
IF YOU’RE more than 10,000 miles from home and traipsing through deep snow in temperatures of minus 4F (minus 20C), a message of support from the second-in-line to the throne must surely come as a morale boost.
It certainly did for Henry Worsley, a former Army officer who is attempting to complete Sir Ernest Shackleton’s unsuccessful attempt to become the first solo adventurer to cross the Antarctic unassisted.
He received a message on Christmas Day from the Duke of Cambridge, telling him that he is “doing a cracking job”.
Prince William, who is patron of Mr Worsley’s Shackleton Solo Challenge, took a break from his family celebrations to add: “It sounds like you’ve broken the back of it. I hope you keep warm.”
Mr Worsley, a 55-year-old former lieutenant colonel, is raising money for injured servicemen and women.
He is enduring freezing temperatures, high winds and treacherous ice as he treks to the South Pole and then travels to the other side of the land mass.
Now about 100 miles from the South Pole, Mr Worsley’s trek marks the centenary commemoration of Sir Ernest’s 1915 attempt to complete the first ever solo crossing of the Antarctic continent.
He hopes to complete Sir Ernest’s unfinished journey to the South Pole from the Weddell Sea, following part of his intended route.
Mr Worsley aims to raise £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, a body established in 2012 by the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to fund sporting and adventure challenges to aid the recovery of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.
The fund also aims to provide advice, hands-on support and mentoring.
Mr Worsley is on skis and pulling a sledge containing his food, tent and other equipment, but unlike Antarctic expeditions by other explorers, he will not receive supply drops or help across the ice from dogs.
He is aiming to reach the South Pole by New Year.
In a pre-recorded message, the Duke wished Mr Worsley “a good New Year’s Eve Celebration”.
He said: “Henry, it is Prince William. I just wanted to wish you well and to say that we are thinking of you over the Christmas period as you are lugging all your kit up and down the slopes and the hills of the southern Atlantic and the Antarctic. But it sounds like you’ve broken the back of it and the next part of the expedition is going to be – straightforward is not the right word – but more simple for you, I hope.”
The Duke continued: “I know you are planning hopefully to reach the South Pole by New Year, so that will be a good New Year’s Eve celebration. You are doing a cracking job. Everyone back here is keeping an eye on what you are up to, and are very proud of everything are achieving.
“Particularly the fact that you are doing this for the Endeavour Fund is extremely impressive, for all the sick, wounded and injured veterans, so I hope that keeps you motivated, I am sure, for the next few weeks.”
He ended the message by wishing Mr Worsley good luck, adding: “I hope you keep warm and it’s not too painful down there.”
When Prince Harry prepared in Antarctica for his attempt to walk to the South Pole in 2013, he joked that his older brother was “jealous” of him because he would have loved to get away from his “screaming child”, Prince George.
Prince Harry also joined part of a Walking with the Wounded expedition to the North Pole in 2011.
‘The fact you are doing this for all the sick, wounded and injured veterans is extremely impressive’