Member Article

PATH TO TOKYO 2020: CHARITY PATH TO SUCCESS ANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP OF TWELVE FEMALE PARA-ATHLETES

British charity to support women in disability sport by sponsoring athletes across four major disability sports

Leading disability charity Path to Success has announced the sponsorship of twelve female para-athletes who are seeking to realise their dream of winning Paralympic Gold for Great Britain.

The Path to Tokyo campaign will provide financial support for aspiring athletes in four major disability sports: Para Powerlifting, Para Badminton, Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Tennis

Path to Success has pledged over £100K to the campaign over the next three years, which will cover the cost of coaching, training, travel, equipment and specialised sports wheelchairs for the sponsored athletes.

The recipients of Path to Tokyo sponsorship are: Para Powerlifters Louise Sugden and Olivia Broome, Para Badminton’s Mary Wilson, Rachel Choong, and Rebecca Bedford, Wheelchair Basketball player Sophie Patterson, Wheelchair Tennis stars Louise Hunt, Lucy Shuker, Lauren Jones and Jordanne Whiley and Wheelchair Tennis Juniors Abbie Breakwell and Ruby Bishop.

Path to Success has also announced that Channel 4 presenter and reporter Jordan Jarrett-Bryan has joined the charity as a patron. Jordan played Wheelchair Basketball for 15 years, captaining the Great Britain Junior team in the European and World Championships in 2006. He was part a prominent part of Channel 4’s award-winning coverage of the London 2012 Paralympics and won Best Male Personality at the 2017 Black British Entertainment Awards. In addition to his role with Channel 4, he campaigns passionately to support young people with disabilities. On joining the Path to Tokyo campaign, he said:

“Path to success is an important charity that provides support and funds for female athletes who are struggling to get an equal chance of fulfilling their potential. I’m glad to be involved and hope to be a part of ensuring more females athletes get the support they deserve.”

Despite the success of the London 2012 Paralympics in raising the profile of disability sport in the UK, many para athletes remain seriously underfunded, meaning they are forced to give up on their dreams if they cannot generate their own funding. People with disabilities are also more than twice as likely to be physically inactive than able-bodied people, meaning it is crucial that youngsters have role models in the world of disability sport.

Anita Choudhrie, founder of Path to Success, said:

“At a time when talented British women in disability sport severely lack both representation and funding, I am honoured to support their journey to the podium. The Path to Success mission continues to aim to secure the legacy of disability sport in the UK, and to inspire and empower a new generation of British female Paralympic stars. With the Path to Tokyo 2020 campaign, I am delighted to move forward in this intention, and create a positive impact on the athlete’s lives.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by James Oliver .