Veteran Gurkha named in King’s Birthday Honours for World Record Everest climb and raising disability awareness
Military veteran, disability campaigner and world record-setting mountaineer Hari Budha Magar is delighted to be awarded an MBE in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours list.
Formally announced today, Hari was joined by Post Office campaigner Alan Bates, former prime minister Gordon Brown and artist Tracey Emin who were also recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
Hari first learnt that he’d been put forward for an honour earlier this month and will be traveling to London later this year to officially receive his MBE. About the award he said: “I am absolutely delighted and thrilled to receive this honour on His Majesty’s birthday.
“I have never worked for any honour but am really pleased my work in raising awareness of what is possible for people with disabilities and raising funds for various charities has been recognised.”
In May last year, the father-of-three who lives in Canterbury, UK and lost both legs to an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2010, became the first double above-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.
To achieve the unprecedented feat, Hari had to first head to the supreme court to overturn a ban imposed by the Nepalese government on people with a disability climbing Everest. The 45-year-old also had to develop prototype prosthetics that would prove robust enough to handle the harshest of conditions at 8,849m above sea level.
Born in a cowshed in a remote area of Nepal before joining and serving for 15 years in the Royal Gurkha Rifles, Hari added: “I would like to dedicate this honour to all those who support me. This wouldn’t be possible without the love and support of my family and friends, supporters, charities, communities, and sponsors.
“I am now flying to Alaska to climb Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, as I look to complete the Seven Summits – climbing the highest peaks on each continent in the world. Stay tuned and thank you so much for all your love and support, I truly appreciate it.”
Matthew Charles Hellyer, CEO of Pilgrim Bandits Charity, who have supported Hari through his recovery and rehabilitation following the amputations, said: “This award is so well deserved. It recognises the selfless bravery of a military veteran who has put his life on hold to show the world nothing is impossible.
“Not only has this iconic man beaten all the odds to achieve greatness in his quest but he has had to battle beliefs and fight for the rights of disabled people to gain access to the world’s premier challenge, summiting Mount Everest. The Pilgrim Bandits charity and our team of injured veterans are proud to support Hari in his awe-inspiring challenges.”
Lt Col Nick Moran, Commanding Officer, Second Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles, added: “I am genuinely delighted to see such worthy recognition of an incredible man. I know that I can speak on behalf of all Gurkhas to say how proud our community is of Hari.
“Not only a man who has conquered Everest, not only a man that has conquered incredible adversity, but someone with unique levels of grace and warmth. An incredible human being and an inspiration to so many.”
Major General Lamont Kirkland (retd), CEO of Team Forces, one of Hari’s principal partners said: “As a champion of removing limits, demonstrating resilience and innovation and showing the effects of a positive mindset, Hari is truly unique and inspiring individual whom we are proud to support and in awe as his sets on his next challenge.”
As Hari continues to try to change perceptions on disability and campaign for veterans, his next ambitious goal is to conquer the four remaining peaks of the highest mountains on each continent.
Having climbed Everest (Asia), Mont Blanc (Europe) and Kilimanjaro (Africa), he is heading to Denali in Alaska (North America) and Aconcagua in Argentina (South America) and in 2025 to Puncak Jaya, Indonesia (Oceania) and Mount Vinson (Antarctica).
In order to complete these challenges Hari needs to raise additional sponsorship and funding. He has launched an appeal (www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hbm7summits) to raise funds to enable his upcoming climb and the positive impact it will generate.
Hari would like to thank his partners Barratt Developments, Branding Science, Gurkha Welfare Trust, Ottobock, Parajumpers Clothing, Team Forces and Therabody for their amazing support.
As well as supporters including SunGod Eyewear, Leki Gloves and Poles, Precision Fuel and Hydration, Team 365 and more.
Hari also continues to fundraise the “height of Everest plus two zeros” for veterans and military charities. That would equate to £884,900. His charity partners include the Gurkha Welfare Trust, On Course Foundation, Team Forces Foundation, Blesma and Pilgrim Bandits, who have all been instrumental in helping veterans in the UK. To donate to the charity appeal visit Hari’s website www.HariBudhaMagar.com
