“I look at my role as being a friend of Canberra Hospital, I can bring some pleasure and happiness sometimes to people who are really in difficult times in their lives.”
With backing music from a Bluetooth speaker, Sayer croons his way around the cancer wards, making a human connection with everyone he comes across.
Canberra Region Cancer Centre Operations Manager Caroline McIntyre says Sayer’s visits are typically kept a surprise for patients and staff.
“He’s always come in so discreetly,” she says.
“Normally it’s just very quiet, he comes up in the back lift and says hello to literally everybody.
“Some of them are doing it tough, and to have a little bit of joy and light – it really gives them a lift.
“What makes me happy is to see people getting chemo on their feet dancing.”
Jamming with Jimi Hendrix, Countdown and the Troubadour
Originally a graphic designer by trade, English-born Leo Sayer rose to pop prominence in London in the late 1960s, as a singer-songwriter – and was soon adopted by Australia as an honorary son after his first tour here in 1974.
He went on to become an Australian citizen in 2009.
Sayer was a regular on ABC TV’s Countdown during the 70s and 80s, performing chart-toppers like “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”, “When I Need You”, “More Than I Could Say” and “Orchard Road”.
He blushingly admits they were wild days – when he didn’t always live up to his “good-guy” public persona.
“It was mad, I mean, Top of the Pops in England, Countdown over here,” he says.
“You were mobbed by the fans, I remember being dragged out of a limousine the first tour that I came here, and then speaking to crazy people like Molly Meldrum on TV and trying to sort of like take it all in.”
It seems hard to believe – the petite, well-spoken singer, with a mane of curly hair that inspired changing his name from Gerard to Leo – beating off mobs of screaming fangirls.
Sayer circulated in superstar company, becoming close friends with former Beatles George Harrison and Paul McCartney, collaborating with Roger Daltrey of The Who, and even sharing a sly cigarette or two with John Lennon and Yoko Ono who had a flat above his design studio.
“I met Jimi Hendrix right at the start of his career. I actually jammed with him, playing the harmonica, and him playing the guitar,” he says.
Recalling his 1975 opening night at the famous Troubadour Club in Los Angeles, he looked up to see an intimidating line-up of fans in the front row.
“It was David Bowie, Elton John, and ‘The Fonz’ [Henry Winkler].”
Alongside them: John Cleese, Mick Jagger, Bernie Taupin, and comedian Marty Feldman.
“We never thought it would last, we were adapting to things around us, writing songs about things that are around us,” he says.
“And we thought they were only for our generation — so the amazing thing is my music’s become like a fine wine, where you lay it down and years later, it becomes a collector’s item.
“We’re in an age where the music that I make, young kids are actually latching onto it now, and they’re finding that that generation and that style of music we made is as current now as anything.”
Sayer’s health battles, still spreading hope at 76
Leo Sayer says his hospital charity work caps off a career dedicated to providing joy through music.
“It’s a nice piece of synchronicity really, because I was born in the grounds of a hospital in Shoreham by Sea in Sussex, near Brighton in England,” Mr Sayer said.
“I suppose I’ve always felt comfortable in hospitals and being around hospitals.
“Growing up, my dad was a hospital engineer, Mum was a nurse, my sister was a matron.”
Sayer has health struggles of his own, including three stents in his heart, which help him have a genuine connection to the hospital patients he entertains.
“[My music] is providing something that isn’t taking away from any of the treatment that’s going on. It’s providing something that’s just putting a smile on peoples’ faces.
“Music is communication and that’s what this is all about, we’re communicating, we’re making people feel better.
“We’re not healing people with music, but we are making them feel better about their healing.
“To sell out Canberra Hospital will do me fine.”
A Woman Who Was Dumped Just Before Wedding Because of Her Weight Gets Her “Revenge Body” and Wins a Beauty Pageant
Jen Atkin’s life took an unforeseen turn just as she believed her future was on solid ground. Her fiancé ended the relationship, attributing it to her perceived weight gain. However, destiny had a comical script of its own.
Fast-forward to today, Jen has been crowned Miss Britain, transforming her past heartbreak into a remarkable victory. Life has a knack for delivering unexpected plot twists, and we’re excited to convey her inspiring message to our cherished readers.
Before ascending to fame, Jen faced a multitude of challenges.
Six years ago, Jen Atkin was immersed in envisioning her perfect wedding, painting her dreams with vibrant colors, only to have the canvas abruptly yanked away. Her fiancé chose to end the relationship, and the reason was rather astonishing: Jen was allegedly indulging in excessive junk food.
During her childhood, Jen confronted a multitude of challenges. Hurtful words and taunts accompanied her journey to the playground, as people bestowed the cruel nickname “Jen fat-kin” upon her, their derogatory remarks echoing in her ears and causing her heartache. To compound the cruelty, they went so far as to throw food at her, leaving her deeply wounded. This period was undeniably tough for Jen, and the lasting scars of those experiences stayed with her.
She grappled with an intricate relationship with food.
Recognizing her struggle, Atkin courageously confessed to her own denial regarding her body and the intricate relationship she had with food. She opened up about how, despite her mother’s lovingly prepared homemade meals, she secretly indulged in fast food, chips, and sweets. Describing her body as an insatiable pit, she spoke of uncontrollable eating without any breaks, a habit that intensified during her teenage years.
To complicate matters further, when she turned 18 and obtained her driver’s license, the accessibility to fast food became dangerously convenient. Alongside her boyfriend, they would frequent bars and indulge in takeout while binge-watching their favorite shows, unknowingly feeding into an unhealthy cycle.
Atkin held a distinctive perspective on her weight and body image, firmly convinced that her boyfriend loved her unconditionally.
Nevertheless, the bubble of bliss burst abruptly when her partner chose to terminate their relationship right in the midst of wedding planning. It was a jarring awakening for Atkin, as she confronted the harsh reality that her belief in their unwavering love was shattered. The unexpected breakup compelled her to reevaluate her perception of herself and confront the painful truth head-on.
The breakup took its toll on Atkin, who found comfort in food and secluded herself at home. It was a pivotal moment when she realized she couldn’t fit into her size 20 dress, prompting her to weigh herself and discover the shocking extent of her weight gain. This realization sparked a determination within her to make a change and embark on a self-care journey.
In response, she resolved to sculpt a revenge body.
Upon enrolling at a local gym, Atkin embarked on an incredible transformation. In just two years, she went from a size 22 to a size 10. Empowered by her progress, she delved into beauty pageants and achieved remarkable success, ranging from being crowned Miss Scunthorpe to finishing as the first runner-up in Miss England 2018. Taking a brief hiatus, she received a recommendation for the 75th Miss Great Britain competition, offering her one last opportunity at pageant glory.
Atkin’s journey culminated in her being crowned Miss Great Britain during a breathtaking final ceremony held in Leicester. The announcement left her stunned, and she exclaimed, “I’m still in shock at winning. I’m so happy I can’t even put it into words — I honestly can’t believe it.”
Atkin feels that her ex would likely take pride in her achievements, yet she has no desire to rekindle their past relationship. Having found the love of her life, she tied the knot with Chris just five months before clinching the title of Miss Great Britain. Undoubtedly, her joy and marital happiness probably contributed to her winning charisma in the competition.
Not every journey to becoming a beauty queen unfolds seamlessly. Here’s another remarkable case of a woman who encountered challenges related to her appearance before ultimately earning the title of Miss England.
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