In 1961 Len had a racing car accident that left him a paraplegic. After his time in hospital, he decided to learn new skills more suitable to his new life. He became a jewellery manufacturer specialising in paua shell work, bought his own shop in Kumeu and managed 7 employees.
A couple of years after his accident, he met with Paralympian #10 Reuben Ngata who introduced him to Para sport. Len Campbell became very active in Para sport and represented his country at the 1966 Kingston Commonwealth Paraplegic Games. He won 2 medals out of a total of 11 for the team.
Len was a member of New Zealand’s very first Paralympic Team competing at the Tel Aviv 1968 Paralympic Games. Len competed in the Para sports of Para athletics and Wheelchair fencing. He lost in his fencing preliminary round after meeting 2 of the final medal winners in this round. He finished 5th in the discus with a throw of 18.83m, just behind fellow Kiwi Paralympian #3 Leo Close.
After a campervan adventure in Australia, Len decided to stay in Cairns for over 20 years. He went back to New Zealand in 2009 and now lives in Northland. Len enjoys more than ever his house in the forest, the nature, wood carving and taking care of his beehives.
