TWO headmasters delivered a gripping lecture to a sell-out crowd in Horningsham’s village hall on Saturday (April 9) to raise money for the village’s playground appeal.

Warminster School headmaster Mark Mortimer and head of Wellington College Julian Thomas stepped in for polar explorer Henry Worsley, who was due to give the talk but died of organ failure in January, just 30 miles from the finish line of his gruelling South Pole expedition.

Ros Algar, organiser of the Horningsham Children’s Appeal and of the evening, said: “We are so grateful to Mark and Julian. We thank them for gallantly standing in and giving their thrilling lecture.

“A huge heartfelt thank you to all who have donated to and supported this important event. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support of friends, family and the local community.

“It was a wonderful evening for the village, paying tribute to Henry and I am delighted that we have raised almost £10,000 for the Henry Worsley Playground Appeal.”

The two headmasters, who had originally bought tickets to listen to Mr Worsley’s talk, offered to take his place and describe their own adventures, so that fundraising could continue for the cause.

Mr Mortimer rowed across the Atlantic in 1997 in 75 days with a fellow army officer in the inaugural trans-Atlantic rowing race and entered the very first solo race in 2004, in which he capsized after 35 days at sea.

The lecture raised nearly £10,000 for the playground with an overall target of £100,000, with plans to engrave Mr Worsley’s story into the rubberised ground so children can learn about him as they play.

To donate to the cause, send a cheque to Horningsham Village Hall, addressed to Ros Algar, with the reference ‘Solo’, sort code 309913 and acc number 00088454.