Celebrated philanthropists Avnish and Anita Goyal have been unveiled as the latest couple to join The Life-Changers Circle, John Caudwell’s growing international network of humanitarians who have each committed £1 million to support disabled and autistic children.
In June 2022, Avnish Goyal CBE was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his services to social care and philanthropy. The Chair of Care England and founder of multi-award-winning care provider Hallmark Care Homes received the national honour for his work during the pandemic with the largest representative body for social care, Care England, The Care Workers’ Charity and volunteer-led initiative; Championing Social Care.
Soon after Mr Goyal and his wife, Anita, met with John Caudwell in London to discuss becoming members of The Life-Changers Circle and furthering their already important legacy of philanthropy through the Hemraj Goyal Foundation.
The Life-Changers Circle was established in 2020 by Caudwell in a bid to create a global network of like-minded philanthropists working together for a common goal. Membership to the network requires a commitment to donate £1 million to the charity, Caudwell Children, with eight inductees already signed up to the generous pledge.
Anita Goyal is an award-winning philanthropist, author and community champion, celebrated for her services to diversity and female empowerment. Born in East London, Anita spent 20 years as a teacher before adopting a key role within the family foundation. Inspired by the opportunity to help vulnerable women and children worldwide, Anita left teaching and embarked upon a full-time career in philanthropy. In 2021, she was awarded an MBE for services to diversity and female empowerment, including her life-changing work tackling female genital mutilation, menstrual discrimination, and human trafficking.
Caudwell commented on the announcement:
“My vision for The Life-Changers Circle was to bring people together who were at different stages of their philanthropic journey, to learn from each other and enjoy each other’s company. Avnish and Anita have already done so much through their foundations and their work in the care sector, it is a real honour to welcome them to the group. Their commitment to Caudwell Children will ensure thousands of disabled and autistic children have access to vital services for years to come and the opportunity to reach their full potential, we are truly grateful.”
Caudwell Children is a national charity which provides practical and emotional support for autistic and disabled children. Founded in 2000 by John Caudwell, the charity has provided support worth £85million for over 65,000 children with 700 different medical conditions.
In 2019 the charity officially launched the Caudwell International Children’s Centre, the UK’s first independent purpose-built facility for the assessment, support and research of autism.
Mr Goyal added:
“We are delighted that the Hemraj Goyal Foundation is supporting Caudwell Children and its valuable work transforming the lives of disabled children and their families.
Joining John Caudwell’s Life-Changers Circle will enable us to provide long-term support for the Children’s Centre and build networks with other philanthropists to raise awareness of the Hemraj Goyal Foundation’s own work with children and young people facing disadvantages. Together, we are stronger and can do more to improve life for every child and family, now and in the future.”
Membership of The Life-Changers Circle is strictly by invite only, but to find out more, contact Jo-Ann D’Costa-Manuel by emailing [email protected]. For more about Caudwell Children, click here.
