Three inspirational members of the Armed Forces Community who were injured or fell ill in service, have been named as the winners of the Endeavour Fund Awards, recognising their determination to recover, help supporting others and achieving excellence in their sport or adventurous challenge…
The winners of the evening were Kelly Ganfield for Recognising Achievement, Nathan Forster for Celebrating Excellence and Shaun Pascoe for The Henry Worsley Award.
The Endeavour Fund, led by The Duke of Sussex and The Royal Foundation, provides financial backing and guidance to programmes and charities across the UK that support thousands of service personnel and veterans reach their full potential.
The awards are held annually to celebrate the achievements of those injured in service and recognise the fortitude needed to take the next steps in their lives. Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, attended the ceremony to meet the inspiring winners and nominees from the life-changing Endeavour Fund work.
Speaking at the event, The Duke of Sussex said: “You are leading examples for the armed forces community, for public service, for giving back to society and for everybody else in the UK – you do not have to be defined by your injury or disability. It does not have to hold you back. You may not realise or appreciate it yet, but do not underestimate the incredible impact you are having on those around you, by simply being yourself.”
Recognising Achievement
Presented by Olympic multi-gold medal winner, Matthew Pinsent, to the individual who has best utilised their endeavour to promote and catalyse their recovery, this was presented to Kelly Ganfield, a member of the UK Invictus team.
Kelly said: “This means a great deal to me because I not only did this for me, I did this for my little 3-year-old daughter who has got cerebral palsy, and I wanted to prove to her that anything is possible in life no matter what you go through.”
Celebrating Excellence
Presented by The Duchess of Sussex, this award was given to the individual who has achieved excellence in their chosen sport or adventurous challenge. The winner of this award was Nathan Forster, who learned to fly microlights with ‘Flying for Freedom’ and is now a commercial airline pilot for TUI.
Nathan said: “This award isn’t really for me, it’s for everyone who has helped me along the way. I didn’t think I’d be standing here all these years ago when I was first brought back in a CASEVAC back from Afghanistan and I didn’t think I’d be doing what I’m doing today. It’s a real testament to the help and support I’ve had.”
The Henry Worsley Award
The Henry Worsley Award is presented to the individual who has best inspired others through the demonstration of determination in the face of adversity, whilst endeavouring to support others with their recovery through sport or adventurous challenge. This was presented by The Duke of Sussex, to Shaun Pascoe, who set up ‘Turn to Starboard’.
Shaun said: “Obviously I’m very honoured and humbled to be standing up here, but I think it’s equal measures of discomfort and that discomfort is because, and I think what most people have alluded to, is that even in service and what we do now and what we do for others is alone we just don’t function. We function as a team.”
