Entrepreneur (43) succumbs to cancer months after setting up charity
What's the story
British tech entrepreneur Nick Hungerford aged 43 passed away after a battle with terminal bone cancer.
The co-founder of the digital wealth management firm Nutmeg, Hungerford's demise was just months after he set up his charity foundation named Elizabeth's Smile.
"We are deeply saddened to share the news of Nick's death," his charity said in a statement today.
Founder of Nutmeg
Founding Nutmeg
Hungerford founded the investment platform Nutmeg in 2011. It was purchased by JP Morgan for £700 million (approximately Rs. 7400 crores) in 2021.
The company refers to Hungerford as "one of Britain's most successful fintech entrepreneurs."
"Nick was passionate about helping empower people to achieve their full potential," Nutmeg said in a statement.
"We are incredibly proud of the journey Nick started," it added.
Twitter Post
Here's the official statement
Nick Hungerford - our founder and friend.
— Nutmeg (@thenutmegteam) July 11, 2023
17 June 1980 – 6 July 2023 pic.twitter.com/kTPurFyIbA
Cancer
Hungerford was first diagnosed with bone cancer in 2019
Hungerford was first diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer in 2019 after he felt pain in his right thigh. He opted for an operation to remove the femur.
However, the illness resurfaced toward the end of 2021. About two weeks ago, he shared with The Telegraph that he only had two to three months to live.
Real lack of understanding
He was worried about leaving his family behind
Last month, in an interview with BBC, Hungerford shared that he felt there is a "real lack of understanding" of the situation where children lose a parent.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, he said that it is not the fear of death that worries him most, but instead leaving his wife and two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and that she will have to grow up without him.
Starting the charity
His daughter was the inspiration behind starting the charity
Inspired by his little girl, he started a nonprofit organization Elizabeth's Smile to help kids who lose a parent. He launched the organization in the United Kingdom last month although he had started it in the United States in 2022.
"In loving memory of our founder, our work to make sure grieving children reach their full potential continues," the charity shared.
Charity
Elizabeth's Smile focuses on helping bereaved children
His charity Elizabeth's Smile is primarily focused on increasing understanding with researchers and doctors around the globe concerning the effects of parent loss on children.
According to Hungerford, the research will help create products for the Smile Network. The nonprofit publishes several publications guiding children in coping with parental loss.
The organization helps to build a support group/network of bereaved children.
AI
Incorporating Artificial Intelligence
For his daughter to 'speak' to him online in the future, Hungerford claimed to have already prepared letters and messages to be delivered to her.
He even recorded a video of himself using an artificial intelligence website, answering hundreds of personal questions.
Hungerford reportedly told The Daily Telegraph that he has done everything possible to show how much he loves her.