MS campaigner Trishna Bharadia scoops Woman of the Year award

Multiple sclerosis campaigner Trishna Bharadia has been named Woman of the Year at the 2018 Asian Achievers Awards during a glittering ceremony in London.

The awards at the Grosvenor House hotel, Park Lane, celebrated outstanding British Asian talent across the arts and media, sports, community service, the professions, uniformed services and the world of business and were hosted by Eastenders actor Nitin Ganatra and KissFM’s Neev Spencer.

Bharadia, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28, has since devoted her life to helping and supporting others with the disease, winning numerous awards for her achievements.

Despite working as a Spanish-English translator, she still finds time to campaign and fundraise tirelessly to improve awareness of disability and chronic illness, and to support BAME communities within the context of disability.

Trishna’s efforts to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis and other chronic conditions were recognised by the Prime Minister earlier this month when she received the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

She is a volunteer with the MS Society, Asian MS and the MS Trust and was named ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at the 2013 MS Society Awards.

She was also chosen as one of six inspirational individuals to take part in the “The People’s Strictly for Comic Relief” because of the impact of her advocacy work in inspiring people with chronic illness to live a full and positive life.

Trishna Bharadia

Bharadia said: “I'm so happy to win this award because it gives a platform to being able to further raise awareness about multiple sclerosis, chronic illness and disability in general but also specifically in the Asian community. Just on the awards night, around 800 people went home knowing a little more about what MS is.

"This is how conversations start and that's how we're going to be able to break down the stigma, misconceptions and lack of knowledge that is still attached to chronic illness and disability. I'm so grateful to whoever it was who nominated me!"