Empowering GB Female Athletes on their Path to Paralympics & Beyond in four major disabiliy sport.
by Path to Success in London, England, United Kingdom
Path to Success has been facing financial challenges due to the pandemic as all in-person fundraising events have been cancelled. Having extra money will help the Charity to get back on its feet and look into supporting new and emerging talented female athletes who have set their goal to take part in Commonwealth Games and the next Paralaympics in Paris, 2024.
Who do we support? Since inception in UK (2006), Disability appeals has always been the core of Path to Success. On the INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY in March 2018, Path to Success launched its appeal in ‘Empowering Women in Disability Sport’. A desire to Empower Women is very much at the heart of this appeal. Women’s sport is growing in profile in the UK, but women in disability sport still suffer from lack of funding and poor media exposure. Despite their prominence in their respective sports, some of the athletes Path to Success represent are forced to self-fund from their disability allowance, pension pots or rely on parents and family for support.
Currently supporting 12 GB female athletes on their Path to Tokyo Paralympics & Beyond in four major disability sport of Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Tennis, Para Badminton and Para Powerlifting providing financial support for Coaching, Tournament Fees, Equipment and Nutrition.
"As one person I can not change the world but I can change the world of ONE PERSON" (by Mother Teresa) The postponement of Paralympic Games to this year has added unexpected and unplanned expenses for GB Female Athletes.
Many athletes have faced extreme challenges in life. For example, Scottish Para Badminton champion Mary Wilson served as army psychiatric nurse who survived an attack on her life by Taliban fighters who had infiltrated her camp. Following a devastating diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis which required her to end her career in the military, she decided to pick up a racket and pour her potential into sport. She has gone on to compete in the Inaugural Invictus Games as the only female captain and she has now broken into the top six in the world for Para Badminton.
Lucy Shuker, UK No 2 Wheelchair Tennis Player has won two Paralympics bronze medals and is looking to finally go all way in Tokyo. Lucy was in a motorbike accident after studying at university and the severity of her spinal injuries mean she is the most disabled woman on tour. A Wimbledon finalist, Lucy has experienced first-hand the positive role sport can play in overcoming adversity. She has demonstrated phenomenal determination and skills to continue to compete.
Together we can help them achieve their DREAM These amazing women have overcome great challenges and they could not have reached where they are now without embracing sport and an active lifestyle. I am sure you agree that Sport imposes positive influences on wellbeing but taking on professional sport, requires significant financial investment.
We are passionate about Empowering Women in Disability Sport and want to carry on supporting these remarkable and determined athletes who have worked diligently during the last three years and now throughout the pandemic to ensure they are at their peak performance for Tokyo Paralympics.