A former Gurkha who lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan says he remains optimistic of conquering Mount Everest – despite his first attempt having to be cut short.

Father-of-three Hari Budha Magar, 43, from Canterbury, set off from base camp in Nepal last Sunday in his fundraising bid to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain.

But after struggling through tough conditions and reaching camps one and two en route to the peak, the weather forced him and his team to return to base camp before making another attempt.

He explained: “We stayed and walked around at camp two and went up to 6,576m but as the route was not fully opened to the summit, [so] we came back down the mountain.

“The climb to camp two sees us much better acclimatised, we are now back down at base camp. I have good rest and we are now ready for final big push.”

He served for 15 years for the British Army’s Gurkha regiment. But his career was devastated in 2010 when he stood on an IED (improvised explosive device) which saw him lose both his legs.

If he summits he will become the first below-the-knee amputee to scale the peak.

For the daring attempt, he is using prosthetics specially moulded to his stumps with built-in heaters to prevent frostbite, and feet that can be changed out to match different types of terrain.

He explained: “There were two technical places on the route to camp two, with crevasses.

“I had to climb and cross the crevasses on ladders. I never climbed with X3s [prosthetics] before, but I climbed and crossed ladders. I amazed myself. It’s amazing what we can achieve when we challenge ourselves and try.”

He and his support team had been at base camp for two weeks waiting to acclimatise and a gap in the weather to start his ascent.

When he does resume his quest, it is expected to take at least five days.

He is climbing alongside expedition leader Krish Thapa of HST Adventures and a support team.

You can donate to his fundraising efforts here.

His ambition is to raise £884,900 for five charities. The target is the height of Everest, 8,849m, “plus two 00s”.