Congratulations to disability campaigner and world record-setting mountaineer Hari Budha Magar who has been awarded an MBE in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours list.
In May last year Hari 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 military veteran, who lost both legs to an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2010, also had to develop prototype prosthetics that would prove robust enough to handle the harshest of conditions at 8,849m above sea level.
“I am absolutely delighted and thrilled to receive this honour,” said Hari.
“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.
“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.”
Born in a cowshed in a remote area of Nepal before joining and serving for 15 years in the Royal Gurkha Rifles, Hari will travel to London later this year to officially receive his MBE.
In the meantime, he will continue 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) this year and in 2025 to Puncak Jaya, Indonesia (Oceania) and Mount Vinson (Antarctica).
"This award is so well deserved,” said Matthew Charles Hellyer, CEO of Pilgrim Bandits Charity, who supported Hari through his recovery and rehabilitation following the amputations.
“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.”
In order to complete these challenges Hari needs to raise additional sponsorship and funding. For further information and to donate to the charity appeal visit Hari’s website www.HariBudhaMagar.com
Photo credit: Ryan Sosna Bowd
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