After three weeks of intensive and invasive treatment for the flesh eating bug Leishmaniasis - which has involved a toxic metal compound being delivered intravenously every day - the doctors at University College Hospital, London have told him that he does not need the second phase of treatment, which would have meant a further 6-8 weeks of the same. The treatment takes an hour to deliver and is so fierce that he has had to have heart and blood tests every other day to make sure his body can withstand the onslaught.

South Pole race doctor Ian Davis has also cleared Ben and QinetiQ put him through a fitness test day to ensure he's ready to take on the challenge. Team QinetiQ

For more news and infomation about the South Pole Epedition visit the Team QinetiQ website