Ashish Goyal lost his sight during childhood and became completely blind as a teenager – but still went on to break down barriers in global finance

HE was once the first ever blind trader on Wall Street.

But for the past six years Ashish Goyal is living within a short squeeze of the House of Parliament in Westminster.

Last week he completed a 20-mile charity walk past the capital’s historic landmarks in a fundraiser for visually impaired children. Almost £70,000 was raised for a charity working against child poverty.

“My own life was transformed by education, mentorship, opportunity and the belief of others that blindness should not determine what was possible,” said Mr Goyal. “This walk is about helping create those same opportunities for others. Talent is universal. Opportunity is not.”

He lost his sight during childhood and became completely blind as a teenager.

Despite this, he went on to break barriers in global finance – becoming the first blind trader on Wall Street in a 17-year career as a global macro investor at J.P. Morgan, Citadel, BlueCrest and Balyasny.

In 2015, he was recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

He said the walk was deeply personal, connecting locations that have shaped different chapters of his life in London. He passed through Hyde Park, Little Venice, Lord’s Cricket Ground, Regent’s Park, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral.

“Nearly 360 people have contributed to this effort,” said Mr Goyal. “That is what has humbled me most. This is no longer my walk. It belongs to everyone who believes that education can transform lives and that disability should never define the limits of human potential.”

The fundraising efforts were supported by Akshaya Patra, a child poverty and hunger charity. A spokesperson said: “We are deeply grateful to be one of the beneficiaries of this incredible initiative. Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and thrive, regardless of their circumstances. Ashish’s story highlights the extraordinary impact that education and opportunity can have on a person’s life. Every contribution will help Akshaya Patra nourish children in a way that feeds their dreams and fuels their potential.”