She made it to Everest Base Camp, on a prosthetic leg!

Nirmala Bhandari grew up in Kathmandu in a children's home for young people living with disabilities. She lost both her parents and her leg at a very young age. Against the odds, she became a national para-athlete and founded the Nirmala Foundation - an organisation working to create opportunity, visibility and inclusion for people with disabilities across Nepal.

In 2025, thanks to generous support from clients, friends and partners, Step Three led a campaign that raised over £30,000 which was enough to bring Nirmala to the UK for a new high-performance prosthetic leg from specialists Ottobock.

Rehabilitation took longer than expected. Learning to walk again on a new prosthetic is no small thing. But Nirmala worked through it.

This summer, she trekked to Everest Base Camp. 5,364 metres. On that leg.

What's Happening Now

Back home in Nepal, Nirmala hasn't slowed down. With a small local team, the Nirmala Foundation is steadily building its work across the community:

The Voice and Visibility podcast - sharing the stories and experiences of disabled people in Nepal

Inclusive sport programmes, including wheelchair basketball and amputee football

Education and awareness sessions in schools

Community outreach and advocacy

It's consistent, committed work, run on limited resources, with real results.

Why We're Fundraising Again

We're aiming to raise £15,000 to cover the Foundation's core running costs for the coming year. That means keeping the programmes going, supporting the local team, and giving Nirmala the stability to keep building.

Donate once, or give monthly, whatever works for you. Every contribution goes directly to the Foundation's work in Nepal.

Transparency

All funds are held and managed by New Futures Nepal (UK Registered Charity 1142984), the Foundation's UK partner.

Find out more: www.step3construction.co.uk/nirmalafoundation