Miles for charities: sharing love and care through marathon  

In 2009, Mr Gary Leung was faced with a life-changing challenge when he lost his sight completely due to retinitis pigmentosa. The experience left him feeling hopeless and unsure of what was to come. However, with the support of many others, he regained the strength to push through and began running. Since then, Gary has become the first visually impaired athlete to complete marathons in both North and South Poles, and this journey has changed his life in extraordinary ways.

Gary is grateful for the help he has received from others in the past. He strives to pay it forward by raising funds for various charities in Hong Kong by running marathons since 2017, leaving his footprints in Mainland China, Taiwan, Antarctica, the Arctic and Japan. He once ran from Beijing back to Hong Kong in just 35 days, covering a distance of 2,100 kilometers. To achieve this, he and his guide runners had to run 60 kilometers daily, braving the dangers of busy highways, muddy fields and smoggy areas. Despite the obstacles and difficulties, his team managed to raise a considerable amount for the cause, and they are grateful for all the help they received along the way.

In 2020, Gary established the Roly-poly Inclusion Sports Association to encourage the visually impaired and the non-disabled to participate in sports together, promoting a healthy lifestyle and inclusion. “Having experienced the helplessness and frustration of visually impaired people myself, I want to be a role model and support others on the same journey.” Gary was particularly touched when a member of the Association told him that his family had never taken him on a trip. Still, he was able to take part in the Association’s overseas races and discover a wider world. “The Association’s work has shown me that sport helps people to grow and become healthier and change their lives. It’s worth everything if we can make a difference to others.”

Last November, Gary completed a marathon trip across Japan, covering a distance of about 2,300 kilometres. With this achievement, he surpassed his previous fundraising distances by far. He hopes that by constantly challenging himself, he can receive more social support for his fundraising projects and associated charities, thus benefiting more people in need. “As long as I can run, I will continue to use my feet to help those in need”.

“Humanity is about respecting and treating everyone equally and exemplifying a spirit of compassion.”