We are delighted that Explorer, Author, Fundraiser and Speaker, Sir Ranulph Fiennes BT OBE, is continuing to support BRIT and championing the annual BRIT Challenge to support and improve young adult mental health and fitness throughout the UK.
Sir Ran is described by the Guinness Book of World Records as "The World's Greatest Living Explorer".
Among the many awards acknowledging his achievements, Sir Ran has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science from Loughborough University, Honorary Doctorates from the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University), the University of Sheffield, Abertay University and Plymouth University, an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales) and an Honorary Director of Science from the University of Chester.
“It has been a pleasure to support Phil, the Founder of The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT), for many years. BRIT is a visionary charity and the wealth of partnerships and special relationships they have forged with charities, education and sport governing bodies and universities and colleges is extraordinary. It’s great to see that BRIT are inviting university and college teams to choose a second charity to raise funds for, alongside BRIT, to support local, regional and national charities.
BRIT are also uniting our nation’s inspirational figures to support young adult mental health and fitness throughout the UK. I know Phil needs Olympians, Paralympians, elite athletes from all sports, adventures and explorers, to step forward and join the BRIT Ambassador family.
BRIT Ambassadors promote the annual BRIT Challenge at universities and college of their choice, share their lived experience, encourage student participation, help to destigmatising mental health and champion equality, diversity and inclusion. The more that volunteer, the more impact we will have on improving young adult mental health and fitness. I stand by Phil and urge others to join the BRIT Ambassador family”.
I hope every Vice Chancellor and College Principal embraces the BRIT Challenge and encourages student and staff participation. I wish every university and college team taking part in the annual BRIT Challenge the very best of luck with their distance and fundraising targets”.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes BT OBE
Explorer, Fundraiser, Author and Speaker
Sir Ran married his childhood sweetheart, Ginnie Pepper, in 1970 and together they launched a series of record breaking expeditions that kept them ahead of their international rivals for three decades.
Some of these huge challenges include Sir Ran to be the first to reach both Poles (with Charles Burton), the first to cross the Antarctic and Arctic Ocean (with Charles Burton) and the first to circumnavigate the world along its polar axis (with Charles Burton). This 3 year, 52 000 mile odyssey took intricate planning, 1900 sponsors, a 52 person team to handle, complex communications, meticulous planning and iron determination mixed with flexibility. The circumnavigation has never been successfully repeated.
In 1968/69, Sir Ran led the first hovercraft expedition up the longest river in the world (the Nile).
In 1990, he achieved a world record for unsupported northerly polar travel.
In 1992, Sir Ran led the team that discovered the lost city of Ubar on the Yemeni border (after seven previous search expeditions over a 26 year period).
Sir Ran achieved a world first in 1992/1993, by completing the first unsupported crossing of the Antarctic Continent (with Mike Stroud). This was the longest unsupported polar journey in history.
In 2003, only 3½ months after a massive heart attack, 3 day coma and double bypass, Sir Ran (with Mike Stroud) achieved the first 7x7x7 (Seven marathons in seven consecutive days on all seven continents).
Sir Ran climbed Everest (Tibet-side) in 2005, to within 300m of the summit, raising £2 million for the British Heart Foundation's new research MRI scanner.
In 2007, Sir Ran climbed the North Face of the Eiger (with Kenton Cool and Ian Parnell) and raised £1.8 million for Marie Curie Cancer Care's Delivering Choice Programme.
Sir Ran climbed Everest (Nepal-side) in 2008, to within 400m from the summit, raising £2.5m for Marie Curie Cancer Care Delivering Choice Programme.
In 2009, Sir Ran successfully summited Everest with Thundu Sherpa, making a total for Marie Curie of over £6.2m. He is the oldest Briton ever to summit Everest. He also became the oldest Briton, at the time, to complete the Marathon des Sables – the ‘toughest footrace on earth’ in aid of Marie Curie.
For more information on Sir Ran, please visit his website.
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