Hari Budha Magar Inspires Carlton Primary School
A Special Visit Forged by Community Spirit
On 25 September 2025, The Gurkha Welfare Trust paid a special visit to Carlton Primary School, hosted by Headmaster Jon Watson. Leading the visit was Hari Budha Magar, GWT Ambassador, double above-the-knee amputee, and record-breaking mountaineer, whose story is one of immense courage and resilience.
The visit was organised thanks to the enduring generosity of local GWT supporter, Rose Arnold. Rose, whose late husband served with The Royal Green Jackets alongside Gurkhas, has long championed the cause of Gurkha veterans in Nepal. She was convinced that Hari’s truly inspirational journey would resonate deeply with the school’s older students. Their enthusiasm on the day proved her conviction right.
From Remote Nepal to the Brigade of Gurkhas
Hari spoke to his enraptured audience of his early life in remote Nepal, from his birth in a single-storey thatched cottage on a hillside above Mirul, a remote village in Western Nepal.
There was no electricity and no access to piped water. He spoke to the children about how it would take him an hour to walk to and from school and about his poor results.
Hari’s journey proves that a difficult start doesn’t define your future. Despite his tough upbringing, he successfully joined the Brigade of Gurkhas, was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR), and thrived on the deep sense of companionship and purpose that is central to a Gurkha battalion.
The Blast, the Battle, and the Lifesaving Bond
Hari recounted the moment his life changed forever: the IED explosion in Afghanistan resulted in the loss of both his legs. Yet, in the face of horror, he highlighted the life-saving response of his team. He credits their rapid response and the swift professionalism of the helicopter evacuation team and on-board nurses for saving his life. Once back in the UK and reunited with his family, Hari faced a new, immense battle. He spoke candidly about the dark places his mind went – wrestling with fearful thoughts of inadequacy, impotence, and his inabilities as he tried to navigate a drastically altered life.
Climbing Out of Despair
What followed is a tale of acceptance, decisiveness, resilience and a raw determination to live. Hari’s story is one of ascent, clambering from a pit of despair to the summit of Everest. A journey that took in heart-in-your-mouth bungee jumps, skydiving, kayaking, and Paralympic Games, with the belief that anything is possible. Not feeling sorry for yourself, with the mantra of getting those with disabilities a better deal, Hari is out there raising awareness. He also aims to complete the “Seven Summits” by the end of January 2026 whilst raising funds for his five selected charities.
Inspiring the Next Generation to Dream
The wall of raised hands was evidence of the success of this visit. We left a room where, who knows, there might be a future mountaineer, soldier, medic or nurse – and certainly children who went home that night perhaps daring to dream, believing in themselves and wanting to do something amazing with their lives.
We would like to thank Jon Watson and his staff for inviting us to his school, Rose for the introduction and her support, and Hari for his support as a GWT Ambassador and for taking the time to share his experiences with a young audience.