A SOUTH African cyclist and photo-journalist who began a quest to circumnavigate the world in 2010 to raise awareness about people living with intellectual and physical disabilities has arrived in the country.
Garth Lezard said since his arrival on Thursday, he had been overwhelmed by the warmth and generosity of the Fijian people.
"There is a genuineness here that I have not found anywhere else and it is my hope that as I cycle to Suva, I will get to meet and interact with more of the amazing Fijian people and share my experiences in a book that I intend to write at the completion of my journey," the 39-year-old said while visiting The Fiji Times office in Lautoka.
Mr Lezard began his journey on December 4 in 2010 with the initial intention to travel from Durban in South Africa, where he was raised, to his place of birth 1675 kilometres away — Harare in Zimbabwe.
"The concept evolved as soon as the journey started. I knew it was going to be a challenge and as I overcame each trial, I felt the urge to push on and make it much more than just a story about a cyclist going around the world."
Mr Lezard has met hundreds of thousands of people on his journey and raised awareness about organisations that assist people living with intellectual and physical disabilities — Leonard Cheshire Homes and Services International and The Extra Mile. The South African-born English national leaves the country on March 28. Once completed, Mr Lezard would have cycled more than 30,000km through 24 countries on six continents.