Ex-Gurkha amputee wants others to climb their own mountains as he wins award
World record-holder and former Gurkha Hari Budha Magar says he wants to carry on inspiring people after his mountaineering achievements were recognised at an awards ceremony.
Hari, who in 2023 became the first double above-knee amputee to climb Mount Everest, picked up the Inspiration Award at the 14th Soldiering On Awards in London.
"It feels amazing, I had no clue I was going to win this – I had no clue it was going to happen,” he told BFBS Forces News after picking up the award.
The veteran lost his legs in an IED blast in Afghanistan and was medically discharged in 2014, but since then has completed numerous endurance challenges.
He became a world-record holder after climbing the world's tallest mountain last year and is currently on a mission to climb the highest peak on each continent.
"This inspires me to do more work," Hari said. "To make awareness of disability and inspire people to climb their own mountains, whatever it is."
Five hundred people, including military leaders and ministers, attended the awards which recognise outstanding achievements in the Armed Forces community.
The winner of the Defence Inclusivity Award was Major Daljinder Singh Virdee who founded the British Army Punjabi Union, authored the world’s first Armed Forces Sikh Dress Guide and reintroduced the provision of Sikh religious texts – ensuring a combat-proof prayer book could be carried by personnel in the field.
"Many of the challenges I've had have been quite practical. How do I wear my turban, how do I wear my helmet? Just trying to do my job and serve alongside my colleagues," he said, having worked to introduce more inclusive policies.
The Hero Paws charity picked up the Annual Partnership Award for its efforts in supporting working dogs transitioning out of service life into the civilian world as pets.
The group was started by a small group of military dog handlers who had served shoulder-to-shoulder with their canine comrades.
Founder Jaime Garner said: "What we're doing now is we're opening a sanctuary, a welfare retirement retreat for every single military dog out there.
"So if the military can't re-home them or have no opportunity to give them a home, they can come to us and live with us for the rest of their lives. Chelsea Pensioners for dogs, if you like!"
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Tony Wright - a former Royal Marine, social worker, probation officer, and Home Office adviser who has founded multiple charities and has spent his entire 40-year career in the service of others – many unable to help themselves.
"It’s a life affirmation, really," he said.
Twelve awards were up for grabs at the awards. Below is the full list of winners:
The Winners List: 2024 Soldiering On Awards
- Animal Partnership Award – in partnership with Pets at Home (Public Vote) - Hero Paws
- Inspiration Award – in partnership with NatWest (Public Vote) - Hari Budha Magar MBE
- Healthcare & Rehabilitation Award -VICTOR Intensive Treatment Service, Combat Stress
- Defence Inclusivity Award - Maj Daljinder Singh Virdee MBE
- Family Values Award - John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation
- Business Start-Up Award - Phillip Jones, The Chocolate Soldier Ltd
- Business Scale Up Award - Nick Orde-Powlett, TIB Services Ltd
- Business Community Impact Award - Brendan Williams, Building Heroes
- Education, Training & Development Award - CAPSLOCK
- Employee Champion Award - Andy White (Barclays)
- Working Together Award - Sunderland City Council Armed Forces Partnership
- Lifetime Achievement Award - Tony Wright
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