OUR STORY
Inspired by her Grandfather's philanthropy and her own passion and experience for charity, Founder Anita Choudhrie MBE established Path to Success in London in 2005.
Path to Success (PTS) is a charity built upon passion, dedication and empathy. We strive to bring success and positive empowerment to those who live challenged lives. Our vision is to share goodwill within the United Kingdom and overseas to help individuals overcome their difficulties.
Path to Success is a UK’s leading Disability Charity and has always supported Disability in various ways. “Empowering GB Female Athletes in Disability Sport” is at the heart of Path to Success, providing sponsorship to TALENTED GB WOMEN PARA ATHLETES on their Path to Paralympics & Beyond, in 4 major Disability Sports: Wheelchair Basketball, Para Badminton, Wheelchair Tennis and Para Powerlifting.
Many disabled Athletes have to self-fund majority of their sporting career to compete at the Professional and Paralympic level. The yearly cost of playing as a professional Para Athlete are anywhere from £19,000 -£50,000 per annum. This covers cost of coaching, equipment, tournaments and travel.
There is still a huge gulf in recognition, sponsorship and financial support received by Para Athletes compare to able body athletes, and we want to ‘Continue Making a Difference’. Being one of the only charities in the UK supporting Female Athletes in Disability Sport has made us more determined than ever to carry on our support for the Athletes on their Path to Paralympics 2024 in Paris & Beyond.
WE WANT TO CONTINUE:
Raising funds to FINANCIALLY support GB Female Para Athletes in their training and competition costs
Reduce the STRESS of financial commitments for Para Athletes, where their focus can solely be on training
Increase AWARNESS of Disability Sport
Be able to SUPPORT more aspiring Female Para Athletes
ANITA CHOUDHRIE MBE
Founder & Board Member
Ever since she first supported local campaigns as a student in India, Anita Choudhrie MBE has been deeply passionate about charitable work. While studying at Delhi University, Anita became increasingly aware of the hardships that those outside of our vision and environment face, and she decided that she wanted to make a difference. As a consequence, she has dedicated much of her life to philanthropy, culminating in her founding Path to Success in 2005. Anita aims to inspire and encourage people to take responsibility in helping others, and teaching those in need to help themselves while embracing the values of tradition and multiculturalism.
Anita’s work has changed lives across the UK, and in India, and she has received several awards for her philanthropy.
"As one person I can not change the world, but I can change the world of one person".
It has always been my wish to help ‘Women in Disability Sport, Turning their dreams into reality. With this challenge and philosophy, Path to Success has touched the tender lives of many Female Paralympians. We embrace their process of transformation and help inspire and empower. Path to Success is determined to raise awareness about disability sport and shortage of funding. We want to Make a Difference by shining a spotlight on this issue.
I feel privileged to support these amazing Women on Their Path to Paralympics & Beyond and be able to make a Tangible Difference to the perception of Disability Sport in the UK.
SILVIA VON BALLMOOS
Board Member
Silvia von Ballmoos, is on the Board of Directors of the IT company ATG Advanced Swiss Technology Group and the St. Moritz Opera, Vice President of the Foundation Board of Tele D, member of the Public Affairs Committee and the Council of the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Swiss Chapter of the World Scout Foundation.
Silvia has lived in Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, and has an international network. Her many years of experience as a TV moderator make her a competent contact person and trainer for radio or TV training. She feels at ease in Swiss and international circles and knows what she is talking about when it comes to savoir-vivre. As a sought-after presenter at major social events, she makes a substantial contribution to the 3dc-academy to expertise on presenting at major events.
ABBY GHAFOOR
Board Member
Abby Ghafoor has collated over twenty years of experience within Marketing and Management Consulting. She is the Managing Director of Arc Management Consulting Limited, based in London and Paris. Working with the luxury brands globally and in the UK, her network is extensive across various industries and platforms. Abby has a wealth of knowledge and experience of the luxury sector. She strives to achieve brand growth, as well as developing new strategies and marketing direction.
Abby is a fellow at The Institute of Consulting and a Member of the Chartered Management Institute, as well as Member of the London Chambers of Commerce.
Abby will use her vast knowledge, network and drive to support the charity, raise awareness and highlight its appeal “Supporting Female Athletes in Disability Sport” on their path to Paris 2024 & Beyond.
PHILIPPA GORDON
Board Member
Philippa is a keen sports woman, yoga, meditation and martial art practitioner. In her days at school she swam for her county. Philippa is passionate about longevity, mental wellbeing and improving lives & helping others. Philippa Gorden has studied at the Hippocrates Institute about Living Foods Nutrition and will be starting her PHD with Kings College in 2024.
Due to her type 1 diabetic, Philippa has done extensive research about tackling health issues and improving life style from a nutrition point of view. She is an avid campaigner in raising awareness and understanding of Assistance Dogs in the UK. She is always accompanied by Poppy her helpful hound who is trained in raising alarm should anything happen to Philippa.
Philippa has over 18 years of Strategy & Operations Transformation Consulting within Tier 1 financial services, retail, pharmaceuticals, technology organisations. Designing, enabling and ensuring delivery of major transformations. Focus areas included: developing new markets, restructuring old, improving operational efficiency, increasing creativity and pipelines, global project management and program development. Proven expertise in market research and organisational insights, leading to actionable strategic success.
VICTORIA JENKINS
Board Member
Victoria is a leading adaptive fashion expert and designer. Victoria has a variety of gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal conditions. A life changing surgery in her 20’s led her to found her company: Unhidden. Unhidden was found with a goal in mind to design socially responsible, stylish inclusive adaptive clothing for people with (and without) disabilities. Victoria has over 16 years' experience as a garment technologist having worked with both high street and high-end brands. Unhidden is the first adaptive brand to become a member of the British Fashion Council.
Victoria Jenkins is a prominent Disability Campaigner, Vogue named her one of their 25 most influential Powerhouse Women, she is a Purple Tuesday Ambassador, and is listed the second most influential disabled person in the UK by the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 List. She’s appeared on Dragon’s Den, was the adaptive fashion presenter on C4 Unique Boutique, and has been interviewed for TEDx Talks. She is the author of ‘The Little Book of Ableism’ and currently a judge for the V&A’s National School Challenge. Victoria has also been named as Co-Chair of ‘The Lilac Review’ a major new independent review, backed by UK Government, aiming to address and overcome the inequality faced by disabled-led businesses. She is active in many other organsiations. She is passionate, supportive and determined.
JORDAN JARRETT-BRYAN
Patron
Jordan is currently one of the well-known sports reporters for Channel 4 News, working with a broad spectrum of major sports stories & events. He reports for Premier League production. He will be broadcasting FIFA 2018 live from Russia
Jordan won The Best Male Personality in 2017's Black British Entertainment Award. In 2012 he won channel 4’s award-winning coverage of the London Paralympic Games, reporting on the Wheelchair Basketball.
Youth culture is something he is very passionate about especially issues around the young, employment and education. He also speaks out about the empowerment and rising of disabled and black people on TV, in the media and in employment.
Jordan was born without the fibula bone in his right leg and with a deformed right foot. After his leg was amputated he was fitted with a prosthetic. As a youngster, having a plastic leg was an extremely difficult yet defining experience. But that provided Jordan with a mental focus and confidence; qualities which would prove to be invaluable for a career in front of the camera. He didn’t allow his disability to become a barrier in achieving his goals – in fact he embraces it and even acknowledges that his disability has been a vital part of his success.
He played Wheelchair Basketball for 15 years, captaining the GB Junior side during 2 European Championships and World Championships in 2006. He played professionally for 2 years in the Italian league, winning a championship in the process. Jordan is a multi-talented journalist and former sportsman.
SAMANTA BULLOCK
Patron
Passionate about Empowerment, Inclusive Fashion & Active Lifestyle. Samanta shares her knowledge and life experiences to raise awareness about the above. She has been in a wheelchair since 1992. Before her injury, Samanta was a very active person, modelling, playing handball and tennis. Since her accident she has not slowed down a bit. She worked in politics, played tennis at the highest level and performed in the 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony among many other achievements.
“I am a living proof that a wheelchair does not have to be an obstacle to achieving any of my goals. Born in 1978 in Osorio-Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, my life changed forever at the tender age of 14 when a bullet wound left me paraplegic. I can now look back proudly at what I have already achieved and have every reason to feel optimistic about the future.”
She is working tirelessly to spread awareness about Inclusive Fashion and Empowering Women through her work and her own brand “SB Shop” which is launching on June 15th www.samantabullock.com.
“Fashion has the power to normalise things and embrace equality. It has been hard work pushing for inclusion but a meaningful one and I am making it part of my journey. To make this new generation understand that all differences are welcome. “
LOUISE HUNT-SKELLY PLY
Patron
Louise, who lives in Swindon, enjoyed a successful playing career for many years – and before that she was a leading wheelchair racer. She represented Great Britain in tennis at both the Rio and Tokyo Paralympics, and won 13 singles and 41 doubles titles, with a career-high ranking of 10.
She first became involved with Path to Success when the charity began supporting her while she was competing as a Paralympian in 2018.
“Path to Success provided me with a grant each year until I retired,” Louise said. “After I stopped competing at an elite level they asked me if I wanted to stay involved, using my knowledge and experiences to advise them and support their work.”
On her new role, Louise said: “I felt humbled when they asked me to be a patron. It showed me how much they care as a charity. I don’t want to be seen as just a figurehead. The charity wants to go to the next level and I want to help them achieve their goals and ambitions in a very practical manner.
“As well as offering advice to the charity itself, my role involves helping to promote Path to Success to aspiring female Paralympians and to businesses and organisations that might be looking at ways of making a real and lasting impact. I am here to tell them that they can do so by financially supporting charities like ours and helping female Paralympians achieve their goals on the Path to Paris 2024.”
Path to Success was established in 2006 by founder, Anita Choudhrie MBE who is known as a philanthropist. At its heart the charity has a mission to support and empower female athletes competing in disability sports. Currently, the charity supports athletes competing in wheelchair basketball, para-badminton, wheelchair tennis and para-powerlifting, although it has ambitions to support even more athletes in a wider range of sports.
Nasim Malhotra, Path to Success director of planning and operations, said: “Louise has an amazing personality, she is lively, positive and full of energy. She is hard-working and enthusiastic, a role model to many, and respected on social media and by her peers.
“With her background, expertise, determination and commitment, Louise brings a wealth of knowledge, awareness and experience to the charity. She will help us to strengthen our approach to ‘empowering female para-athletes’. Louise will help us to widen our reach to new contacts, raise awareness of disability sports and help us to raise more funds for female para-athletes on their Path to Paris 2024. We are very excited and grateful for her time and support.”
Many disabled athletes self-fund the majority of their careers. Competing at a professional and Paralympic level can cost anywhere between £25,000 to £50,000 a year. This covers the cost of coaching, equipment, a nutritionist, support team, tournaments and travel. It goes without saying that there is still a huge gulf in recognition, sponsorship and financial support received by para-athletes compared to able-bodied athletes.
The pandemic had a major impact on the charity’s financial situation and its immediate aim is to raise funds so that it can continue to support its current para-athletes. The ultimate aim is to support even more athletes in more sports.
WENDY CARRASCO
Ambassador
We are very excited to have Wendy on-board. A hospitality management professional with over 15 years of experience in operations, business development and relationship management in the luxury and lifestyle segments.
Wendy is very passionate about charitable work and her wealth of experience will be a great asset to PTS
MARY WILSON
Ambassador
Mary Wilson has an amazing and inspirational story. She was an army nurse survived a Taliban attack on her life while waging her own battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). While serving in the army for 20 years, Mary was Recommended for Mention in Dispatches for Bravery. This is a rare achievement for a female in the military. Mary was the only female team captain in the inaugural Invictus Games initiated by Price Harry in 2014. she took up Para Badminton and have won medals in national and international tournaments. It took Mary 10 years to climb all the 274 Scottish mountains called Munro mountains above 3000ft. This included scrambling, abseiling, wild camping and enduring terrible weather and midges! There are only 4000 people in the world who have done this so far.
Sport has had a major impact on my life for as long as I can remember. I love sport. Always have. It is exciting, motivating and the "Team" part of it is very important to me.
Mary is full of life, a positive spirit and so dedicated and determined in her goals. We met her in 2018 providing financial aid towards her Para Badminton career. Mary has been using her Army pension to support her sport endeavour along with her partner’s full support. She is a full time athlete where she focuses on training. Today Mary is also an active member of the Scottish Para Bowl lawn team.
FINANCES
Path to Success aims to support exceptional and carefully selected projects identified with all earnest. Currently empowering female athletes in Disability Sport. Our pledge is to direct fundraise towards covering cost of athletes' coaching, tournament fees, equipment and nutrition.
The policy of the charity is to keep the administration costs as low as possible.
The principle source of funding has been by individual donations, fundraising events such as annual Galas and yearly sport tournaments.