Jason Gathorne-Hardy lives and breathes art. The Suffolk-based artist, who taught himself how to draw and paint after graduating university, is now putting pencil to paper for a good cause as he is working on a collection of art pieces which will be sold – with proceeds going towards an upcoming Mount Everest expedition.
Explaining more about the expedition, and why he wanted to get involved, he says: “I met the two climbers, Hari Budha Magar and Krish Thapa, through a mutual friend, Anthony Willoughby. Anthony runs the Nomadic School of Business, and through Krish we hosted a camp last summer at my farm for Ghurkas and their families.
"Through that, I met Hari who was staying here with his family. I learned about the expedition, and I found it all very inspiring.”
Hari is the principal climber, and an ex-Ghurka who lost both of his legs above the knee to an IED in Afghanistan in 2010, while expedition leader Krish is a world-leading mountaineer and a former head of SAS Mountain Troop. Just a few years ago, Krish led a record-breaking British Armed Services/Special Forces ascent of Everest.
“At a talk at my farm last November, Hari shared that after his injuries he really struggled to keep going, as his life was so transformed. But he did so, partly through Krish’s help. He explained that to him life is about working together, bridging the differences between us, and finding the way through life’s challenges.
“The climb, from Hari’s perspective, is about saying we can overcome life’s challenges, and for Krish it’s about helping people as a guide and leader. And I think those are two very strong motivations.”
Hari will be the first above-knee double amputee to attempt to climb Everest, and he, along with Krish, and their guides, will set off on their expedition this April.
“The approach they’re taking is based upon collaboration, working together, and overcoming challenges – facing them very much full-on. It’s A brave and inspiring message, and that’s my reason for wanting to support it.”
To help raise funds for the climb, Jason is drawing a series of seagull sketches – with half the proceeds going to the climb.
“Birds have been something I’ve drawn for 20-30 years, starting at the Alde at Snape, and then Slaughden by the Martello tower and marshes there. I’ve always been fascinated by seagulls and their flight because it feels so free. Most birds struggled to get airborne but it’s the opposite – one little flick of their wings and they’re up and away.”
So far, Jason has raised £6,500 with his drawings.
“I want to raise money for some of the team’s summit suits, which are the highly protective suits they’ll be wearing on the final ascend. Hari also needs electrical heating on the inside of his prosthetics to keep his stumps warms. During the final ascent, which is around 24 hours, climbers fully need oxygen, but as Hari climbs much more slowly, they’re going to spend around 48 hours in that zone.
“The lower target was £6,500, which we’ve just reached, but if I sell every drawing it would raise just over £20,000 for them. My aim is to keep drawing and selling, and any surplus proceeds will go to charities they’re working with in the UK and Nepal.”
Jason’s drawings are on sale at White House Farm in Great Glemham, with viewings taking place on Saturdays between 10am and 4pm.
“We’ve been working with Deben Frames in Martlesham to get the drawings framed, and Milsoms Hotel Group has kindly been promoting the collection through cards in their venues, and also bought two large drawings for their refurbishment at Kesgrave. It’s all about raising awareness locally, to help raise money for this fantastic expedition.”
To find out more, contact enquiries@galloper-sands.co.uk or visit www.galloper-sands.co.uk. Jason can be found on Instagram @jason_gathorne_hardy. To learn more about Hari and Krish, visit www.haribudhamagar.com and www.krishthapa.com
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