Hero South Yorkshire dad who saved two climbers on Mount Everest returns to the peak

An ex-soldier who abandoned his Mount Everest climb some 500m from the summit to save two fellow mountaineers is flying to Nepal to make a second attempt.
Leslie Binns.Leslie Binns.
Leslie Binns.

Brave Leslie Binns - who was blinded in one eye in an explosion in Afghanistan - rescued Indian climber Sunita Hazra and Subash Paul from sliding down the peak during his first attempt in May last year.

But the determined 42-year-old, of Rotherham, is flying back out to Kathmandu tomorrow ahead of starting his second attempt to climb the world's highest peak 12 days later.

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The father-of-one said: "I am very excited and I am hoping I am going to get to the top this time. I've learnt some valuable lessons from last time.

"I saved Sunita and another climber (Subash Paul) but sadly he later died. It's just one of those things you keep at the back of your mind - the element of danger."

The former soldier served in the army for 13 years in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan and was blown up four times and awarded two medals, including the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.

His injuries left him with post traumatic stress disorder but he is determined to not let this hold him back.

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He is returning to Everest in a bid to raise money for ABF The Soldiers' Charity, formerly the Army Benevolent Fund, as the charity supported him after he left the forces in 2010.

Leslie has so far raised more than £33, 000 towards a £50, 000 target. To sponsor him visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/EH2017