World record-holding climber Hari Budha Magar has been named an MBE in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours list.
Magar is the world’s first double above-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest, who has set out to summit the highest peak on each continent.
The 45-year-old has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to raise awareness of disability and positively change the way people with disabilities.
In 2010, the former British Gurkha soldier lost his both legs to an IED explosion in Afghanistan while on duty. The multiple record breaking climber wanted to take his message of “no legs, no limits” around the world, inspiring people that a disability and weakness shouldn’t limit your ability to achieve their dreams, read the announcement.
“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,” said Magar.
Born in Rukum district, Magar served in the Royal Gurkha Rifle for 15 years before life changing incident in Afghanistan. It took few years to come to terms with his reality. And when he did, he decided to inspire people with disability.
Magar has set out for Alaska to climb Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. He has already climbed three of the peaks — Mount Blanc (4,810m), Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) and Mount Everest (8,849m).
His plan is to complete all seven peaks by early 2026.
