A WOUNDED war vet was given a hug by Prince Harry’s fiancée Meghan Markle after scooping the top prize at an awards ceremony.

Drybrook’s Sean Gane won the Henry Worsley prize at the Endeavour Fund Awards at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London, which the Royal couple attended last Thursday (February 1) to make the presentations.

Grandfather Sean, 49, won the honour after overcoming serious injuries from his tours of duty to take part in the Team Fortitude dog-sledding expedition to Sweden.

Prince Harry told the audience: “I am fortunate enough to meet many of those who take part in the endeavours that we support and I am continually amazed by the tenacity, fortitude and unshakeable humour displayed by the men and women who sign up to run races, cross oceans, climb mountains or take on challenges few would even contemplate.

“They simply couldn’t have achieved it without the support of a team – whether their team mates or their family at home – it is teamwork that has carried them through.”

Rifleman Sean’s injuries from being close to several large scale explosions on tours in Afghanistan include damage to his hearing, muscular-skeletal injuries, PTSD and a cardiac abnormality.

He first joined the Army in 1986, but left and then rejoined in 2002 because he missed the life, and now works for the ‘The Warrior Programme’ helping fellow vets and serving personnel and their families.

He is also training with another services charity to become a scuba diving instructor to work with injured veterans.

Sean played a key role in the administration and logistical organisation of the dog sledding expedition, and although his injuries meant he had to drop out for a few days, his award nominees said he displayed personal fortitude by returning to ensure the 13-strong team crossed the finish line as one.

Supported by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, the Endeavour Fund supports the recovery of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, by helping them undertake sporting and physical challenges. 

The Henry Worsley Award was set up in honour of the adventurer who died while following Ernest Shackleton’s footsteps in the Antarctic.