Draft:Leah Rani Chowdhry
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Leah Rani Chowdhry | |
|---|---|
| Education | University of Bristol |
| Occupations | Philanthropist, entrepreneur, author and public speaker |
| Known for | Solo crossing of the English Channel |
| Notable work | Making a Splash |
Leah Rani Chowdhry MBE is a British philanthropist, entrepreneur, author, public speaker and long-distance swimmer.[1][2][3][4]
She is widely reported as the first British Asian woman to complete a solo crossing of the English Channel.[3][5][4][6]
Chowdhry completed the solo England-to-France crossing on 7 July 2018 in 14 hours and 44 minutes.[6] The crossing formed part of her fundraising activities for organisations including Cancer Research UK and the British Asian Trust.[3][2][5]
She was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2026 Birthday Honours for services to charitable fundraising.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Chowdhry was born in April 1992.[7] She is British and of Indian heritage.[5][8]
She has said that her interest in charitable work developed after witnessing poverty during a visit to India at the age of seven.[9][5]
Asian Voice reported that, at the age of sixteen, she travelled to Sri Lanka to volunteer at an orphanage.[8]
Chowdhry graduated from the University of Bristol with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2013.[10] A later school profile identified her degree subject as Childhood Studies.[11]
Charitable fundraising
[edit]Chowdhry's charitable work has included fundraising for cancer research, children's charities and projects supporting children vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation.[2][12][3]
Before attempting the English Channel crossing, she completed the London Marathon to raise funds for UNICEF.[13]
In 2018, Chowdhry worked with the British Asian Trust on a campaign supporting children at risk of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking in Mumbai.[2][14][12]
The projects included night-care centres for children considered at risk, shelter homes and a residential training centre for girls rescued from trafficking.[2][12]
The campaign was also intended to support an online resource centre on the prevention of sexual offences against children and a rehabilitation programme for women and girls affected by trafficking.[2][12]
Before undertaking the crossing, Chowdhry visited projects supported by the British Asian Trust in India. She said that meeting children involved in the projects motivated her during her preparations for the swim.[2][14]
Before the crossing, NDTV and Business Standard reported that Chowdhry had raised more than £35,000 for the British Asian Trust campaign.[2][14] Asian Voice subsequently reported that she had raised more than £50,000 for the trust through the challenge.[9]
In a 2022 interview with iGlobal News, Chowdhry said that fundraising associated with the crossing had included £100,000 for Cancer Research UK and £55,000 for the British Asian Trust.[5]
In 2026, Asian Voice reported that her cumulative charitable fundraising had exceeded £250,000.[8]
English Channel crossing
[edit]Chowdhry began training for the crossing in 2017. She described completing approximately 25 kilometres of swimming each week during her preparations.[15][12]
Her training programme lasted approximately eighteen months and included pool, lake and open-water swimming.[9]
Under Channel Swimming Association rules, swimmers undertaking a recognised crossing may not use artificial aids or receive physical assistance during the swim.[16] Chowdhry was accompanied by family, friends and members of her support team aboard an escort vessel but was not permitted physical contact with them during the crossing.[2][14]
According to the Channel Swimming Association's official record, Chowdhry completed a solo crossing from England to France on 7 July 2018 in 14 hours and 44 minutes.[6]
The crossing was piloted by Eric Hartley aboard the vessel Pathfinder and observed by Keith Oiller.[6]
Reports described her encountering jellyfish, seasickness, cold water, darkness, shipping traffic and changing tidal conditions during the crossing.[9][3]
The Channel Swimming Association's record lists Chowdhry as the recipient of the 2018 British Long Distance Swimming Association Swimmer of the Year award.[6]
Writing and public speaking
[edit]Chowdhry is the author of the children's book Making a Splash, which is based partly on her preparation for and completion of the English Channel crossing.[3][13]
The book addresses themes including resilience, perseverance, charitable giving and responding positively to challenges.[3][5]
Surrey Live reported that proceeds from the book were allocated to Cancer Research UK.[3]
Following the crossing, Chowdhry began delivering talks about resilience, mindset, charitable work and overcoming challenges.[4][17]
She has spoken at schools in the United Kingdom about her Channel crossing and the preparation required to complete it.[13][17][4][18]
In February 2025, Chowdhry delivered a presentation to pupils at Kettering Buccleuch Academy on developing a growth mindset and overcoming challenges.[4]
She has also delivered workshops through Inner Spark, an educational programme operated by the Goyal Foundation, focusing on confidence, resilience and determination.[19]
Business career
[edit]In 2018, NDTV and Business Standard described Chowdhry as an entrepreneur operating a professional childcare service called Pop Up, Party & Play.[2][14]
The Northamptonshire Telegraph reported in 2025 that she owned two businesses.[4]
By 2026, Asian Voice described Chowdhry as the chief operating officer of Savran Coaching & Consultancy.[8]
Honours and awards
[edit]Member of the Order of the British Empire, 2026, for services to charitable fundraising.[1] British Citizen Award, January 2020.[20] Most Inspiring Young Person, Asian Voice Charity Awards, 2019.[21] Women of the Year, London Asian Business Awards, 2018.[4] British Long Distance Swimming Association Swimmer of the Year, 2018.[6]
Bibliography
[edit]Making a Splash (2022).[3]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Birthday Honours List 2026 PM List Transparency Data". Cabinet Office. 12 June 2026. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Indian-Origin Woman Entrepreneur To Swim Across English Channel". NDTV. Press Trust of India. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Evans, Alec (14 February 2022). "Chemo meant Oxshott woman's father had to isolate years before Covid". Surrey Live. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bond, Matylda (5 March 2025). "First Asian woman to swim English Channel visits Kettering Buccleuch Academy". Northamptonshire Telegraph. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ranger, Reena (1 February 2022). "On 'Making a Splash' in the English Channel and creating ripples beyond". iGlobal News. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Leah Chowdhry 2018". Channel Swimming Association. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "People for LRC Consultancy Services Limited". Companies House. Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "King's Birthday Honours celebrate British Asian excellence". Asian Voice. 18 June 2026. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Singh, Rani (24 July 2018). "Heroic Leah Chowdhry; One of the First Asian Women to swim the Perilous English Channel". Asian Voice. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ Mahon, Francesca (23 June 2026). "Bristol alumni and staff recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list 2026". University of Bristol. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "Newsletter, 23 May 2025" (PDF). The Elms Academy. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Leah Chowdhry all set for English Channel challenge to raise funds for Mumbai's child trafficking victims". The Statesman. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Leah Chowdhry inspires pupils on International Women's Week". Claremont Fan Court School. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Indian-origin entrepreneur to swim across English Channel". Business Standard. Press Trust of India. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "25-yr-old to cross English Channel to raise funds to end child trafficking". The Statesman. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "Swim Regulations". Channel Swimming Association. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Talks@ Session with Leah Chowdhry: A Journey of Perseverance and Inspiration". Dean Close School. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "Channel Swimmer Comes to Culloden". Culloden Primary Academy. 18 March 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "Leah Chowdhry: Swimming Against the Current". Inner Spark. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "Honours January 2020". The British Citizen Award. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "Role of small charities celebrated at country's most diverse awards". Asian Voice. 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
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