| Leprosy facts | Leprosy is a chronic (long-term), infectious disease characterized by skin lesions and nerve damage. It is very rarely fatal, but may be deforming, disabling and stigmatizing. The disease primarily damages the peripheral nerves (those outside the brain and spinal column), skin, eyes, testicles and mucous membranes of the nose. Leprosy has a very long incubation time, ranging from a single year to more than 30 years, although the incubation of most cases is from three to eight years. LEPRA is a medical development charity that works in some of the most impoverished regions on earth. Contact Lizzie Dearling Tel: 01206 216700 |
It all began by accident. My wife April was reading the local free news paper one evening when she came across an advert. The ad was from Lepra, the British Leprosy Relief Association, asking for volunteers for a cycle ride they were doing - in Madagascar! | "April decided my days as a couch potato were over." | |
April decided my days as a couch potato were over. So I started to find out about the charity and the work they do. The more I discovered, the more I liked them. So I applied to join the trip. We each had to raise £1500 in sponsorship, and pay for our own travel and accommodation. That meant all money raised for the charity went to the people on the ground, who needed it. The cost to cure one person of leprosy is only £21. I have now taken part in six of Lepra’s charity bike rides, and I have led the trip to Madagascar for the last five years. Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island, after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo. Located 250 miles off the south-east coast of Africa, the island is 1,000 miles long. Madagascar is beautiful; intense and colourful, yet very poor. It is a country that wins your heart and then breaks it. For me it is both my saviour and my curse. I was never ready to see the sights I saw when I first arrived.
We all see disasters of different kinds unfolding on TV these days. But when you see the raw poverty, malnutrition, illness and associated problems, it numbs you to the core. Many of the stories we hear are enough to make grown men and women cry - not just from pity, but from sheer frustration. The people of Madagascar are wonderful. They will share what little they have with you. Often all they have is their love. This is my spiritual home. Cycling through the country is just amazing, I have never been what I would class as a cyclist really, I just get myself fit for this one trip a year. The Malagasy people find great amusement seeing me riding my bike. This year’s trip will be leaving in mid-September for about 17 days. I know for many people that seems a long time away from home, but I can assure you it is worth it.
Why not join us? Stuart Martin | 
