Polar team sponsored by Shropshire company saddened by death of explorer Henry Worsley

The Race Against Time 2016 Polar Expedition Team is sponsored by Newport-based Jupiter Marketing Ltd.

It today said the team, who knew Mr Worsley well, will continue on their journey to the North Pole. Mr Worsley has died after suffering exhaustion and dehydration as he tried to cross Antarctica unaided

Both Mark Langridge and Paul Vicary, who are part of the Race Against Time team, served alongsideex-Army officer Mr Worsley in 2012 when they successfully reached the South Pole.

The West Midlands team of three, which also includes explorer Mark Wood, said they will continue with their challenge despite the tragic news.

Mr Worsley, 55, was just 30 miles from completing his bid to become the first person to cross the Antarctic unaided, 100 years after Sir Ernest Shackleton's hopes of commanding the first team across the continent were crushed.

Today, Mark Tweddle managing director of Jupiter Marketing, said he was "extremely saddened" to hear about Mr Worsley's death.

The firm, which is the main sponsor of the North Pole adventure, issued a statememt that said: "We are shocked and extremely saddened by the news that Lt Col Henry Worsley, who was a patron of the Race Against Time expedition, has died tragically whilst crossing Antarctica.

"Two team members, Mark Langridge and Paul Vicary, both served alongside Henry as part of the six-man team that successfully reached the South Pole in 2012 following Robert F. Scott's route as part of the 100-year anniversary of the iconic explorer.

"Along with third member Mark Wood, the whole team is devastated, not only to lose someone who was a dear friend, but also because the world has lost a great explorer. All our thoughts go out to Henry's family at this time."

Father-of-two Mr Tweddle added: "Despite this terrible news, as experienced polar explorers, the Race Against Time team will go ahead with the expedition from the Russian Arctic Coast to the geographic North Pole as planned.

"The team is fully aware of how dangerous the expedition will be, but it is fully prepared, and is keen to stress that safety will, at all times, be of paramount importance.

"We are proud to be the main sponsor of this expedition which, together with the Race Against Time team, we see as one that is of global importance."

On Sunday Mr Worsley was flown to a hospital in Punta Arenas in Chile, where he was found to have bacterial peritonitis. He underwent surgery but died on Sunday of complete organ failure.

Mr Worsley's trek was raising money for the Endeavour Fund, a charity which helps wounded servicemen and women and is managed by the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

William and Harry pledged to ensure Mr Worsley's family, which includes his two children, Max, 21, and Alicia, 19, received the help they needed in the wake of his death.

"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," the Duke said.

"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."

William had waved Mr Worsley off from Kensington Palace in October, ahead of the start of the trek, and sent him a Christmas message, telling him how proud everyone was of him.

Peritonitis occurs when the thin layer of tissue lining of the abdomen becomes infected. Symptoms can include swelling of the abdomen, vomiting, chills, lack of appetite and a high temperature. Complications include sepsis and septic shock.

In his final statement sent from Antarctica, Mr Worsley described how his desire to help wounded soldiers with their rehabilitation was the central focus of his expedition, but that he had taken the decision to call for help.

"The 71 days alone on the Antarctic with over 900 statute miles covered and a gradual grinding down of my physical endurance finally took its toll today, and it is with sadness that I report it is journey's end – so close to my goal," he said.