THE Queensburgh Cheshire Home was delighted to get a visit from Cheshire Homes ambassador, Garth Lezard, who is now based in England.

Lezard’s passion for global travel, photojournalism, endurance adventure and humanity have led him around the world more than once.

As a graduate photojournalist, Lezard produced a body of concerned photography when he visited 20 Cheshire Homes on five continents.

Also read: Eventful start to the year for Cheshire Home

After photographing the facilities and the people living there and working there who excelled in sports and arts, he embarked on a new photojournalism project involving cycling through countries and documenting it for a book.

“I chose the Leonard Cheshire global alliance of homes and services as the charity I would raise awareness for through the cycling adventure which would evolve into an around-the-world journey.

“Before embarking on the final leg of the journey on the Oceania continent, I had an interview with a local media company in Durban and mentioned the Cheshire Homes as my chosen charity.

“A lady from the Queensburgh Cheshire Home contacted me to learn more of my story, and that’s when my relationship with the home began. I chose to try to raise funds for them in particular and build awareness of them as part of the global alliance,” he said.

Cycling through New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, Lezard said he started a spin-off project with the Super Rugby competition at the time.

“I cycled between all the teams through three countries on two continents. They would provide me with signed jerseys for fundraising, and I also began to meet former players who had become paralysed. One had become a keen hand cyclist and was keen to join me on a cycle between two of the teams. We contacted a reporter, and they published an article in a local newspaper which led to a corporate sponsor,” he said.

Giving talks at schools and service clubs, like the lions and the rotary clubs, also help Lezard to generate funds.

Since completing the world cycle, the ambassador with a big heart said he has gone on to train as a personal assistant for people with spinal cord injury and has been doing the work since 2015.

“I have also gone on to publish the book of my world cycle journey titled Pedal by Pedal, Life is Better When You are Laughing. I have also gone on to work in road-cycling training camps where I promote my book and the charity.”

Queensburgh Cheshire Home manager Brian Rossenrode said it was lovely to see Garth again.

“I would like to thank him for coming to the fête. And I would like to encourage him to keep up the good work he does for the physically challenged over in England and Europe – we truly appreciate him,” he said.

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