Lloyd Banks, Managing Director, Rubicon People Partnership. Picture: DorsetBizNews.
Published: April 4, 2023 | Updated: 5th April 2023
“I am in absolute awe of them. Their bravery, their fortitude, it’s just incredible.”
So says Lloyd Banks, Managing Director of Poole-based Rubicon People Partnership.
He’s describing the group of disabled veterans supporting a world record attempt by former British soldier Hari Budha Magar, pictured right.
The ex-Gurkha lost both his legs above the knee in an IED attack while serving in Afghanistan.
He’s now arrived in Nepal from the UK where he plans to become the first double above the knee amputee to climb Mount Everest.
Hari will be accompanied to Everest Base Camp by six disabled veterans.
Each will be assisted by two able-bodied helpers.
They include Lloyd, a former Captain in the British Army, who flies out with the group to Kathmandu tomorrow.
The expedition is organised by Pilgrim Bandits.
The New Milton-based charity has the sole aim of helping and inspiring injured military and emergency services personnel to live life to the full.
Lloyd, 61, said: “The six accompanying Hari to Everest Base Camp have horrific injuries but are inspirational.
“One has motor neurone disease, another has burns over 70 per cent of his body.
“A couple have lost both legs, one has lost a leg and an arm and another has lost a leg and an eye.
“We’ll be trekking around 40 miles from Lukla to Everest Base Camp.
“The biggest problem tends to be altitude sickness.
“The expedition incorporates altitude gains of over 2,500 metres to reach our objective sitting at a staggering 5,364m above sea level.
“It is very uncomfortable, apparently, and it can be very cold.
“To do it without legs or with motor neurone disease or significant burns is quite exceptional.
“As for Hari, he’s lost both his legs above the knee so he’s literally climbing the world’s tallest mountain without legs.”
Together with the rest of the 18-strong team Lloyd has been training since January including Pen y Fan, pictured, and Snowdon in Wales and Ben Nevis in Scotland.
Fourteen years ago he broke his back in a car accident, shattering three vertebrae and has since had a long, slow and painful recovery.
Lloyd said: “I would struggle walking the dog six months ago, even a mile, because of the pain in my back.
“But I’ve now got through that pain threshold and can walk for a good six or seven hours a day with weight as well.
“It’s just through sheer willpower and accepting that pain level.
“But what’s helped me is seeing the guys as we’ve trained.
“How on earth can I complain about pain when every hour they’re having to pour out either blood or sweat from their stumps?
“It’s an incredible mindset.
“I see the next three weeks as not about a challenge for myself but supporting these amazing guys to do it.
“To me it’s helping the charity and raising the profile for Hari’s world record attempt.
“The whole thing is really to promote awareness of military veterans because they’re not getting the support they deserve.
“Without a charity like Pilgrim Bandits that gets everybody together and can fund this then they wouldn’t be able to do it.”
The expedition is being led by Krishna Thapa, a former Ghurka who joined 22 SAS and worked in a mountain troop.
Some of the disabled veterans will be helicoptered back to Lukla after reaching Base Camp.
Those of the group acclimatised, and capable, are hoping to continue beyond Base Camp during the earlier stages of Hari’s ascent.
Lloyd and the other able-bodied helpers will trek the 40 miles back to Lukla.
Hari is already a multiple world record holder as the first double amputee above the knee to:
He hopes to raise £884,900 – the height of Everest plus two zeroes – for five charities supporting veterans including Pilgrim Bandits.
Meanwhile a JustGiving campaign by Lloyd for Pilgrim Bandits has so far raised over £5,400, nearly treble the original target.
To donate, please click here.
A Garmin Inreach tracker, generously provided by Poole-based Global Telesat Communications, will provide real-time location tracking on a map to people following the expedition at home.
