We are delighted that Major (Retired) Sally Orange is part of our BRIT Ambassador family and is championing the annual BRIT Challenge.
Sally is a National Ambassador for Army Cadets, Invictus Games medallist and award-winning inspirational charity fundraiser/campaigner who has run over 70 marathons (mostly dressed as different pieces of fruit!); three of which were during the COVID-19 lockdown with one around the London NHS Nightingale Hospital, another on a treadmill in the iconic London Eye and also 1000m underground in a mine.
“Having personally been diagnosed with a mental health illness, and through my appointment as an Ambassador for the Army Cadet Force, I understand the mental health challenges faced by young people and am passionate about changing the conversation on the topic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone and it is has been particularly tough on young adults and students; especially those with existing mental health difficulties. This a critical time to provide appropriate professional support to young adults and students to ensure they do not endure long-term mental health challenges and more important than ever that we look after our health, fitness and wellbeing.
The annual BRIT Challenge is a feelgood February fundraising opportunity for every UK university college, specialist college and Students’ Union to embrace, enter teams and encourage student and staff participation. It’s inspiring that every university and college team can choose a second charity to raise funds for, alongside BRIT, to support local, regional and national charities.
I hope that Combined Cadet Forces (CCFs), Sea Cadets, Royal Marine Cadets, Army Cadets, Royal Air Force Cadets and University Officer Training Corps around the UK are encouraged to enter teams and take on the BRIT Challenge too. It’s a great opportunity for cadets to display their leadership skills and encourage fellow students at their universities and colleges to enter teams as well.
I am delighted to be a BRIT Ambassador and hope to encourage The University of Nottingham, Leeds Beckett University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Army Cadet Units throughout the UK to enter teams and invite their students and cadets to take part in this inspirational and fun challenge.”
Sally Orange
Army Cadet Force Ambassador, Adventurer & Charity Fundraiser/Campaigner
Sally joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1998 and served as a physiotherapist throughout her 22 year career, playing a pivotal role in the recovery and rehabilitation of many service personnel returning from conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
After being diagnosed with a mental health illness, Sally became actively involved in raising awareness of the challenges facing people in the Armed Forces as well as those in everyday society who live with mental health difficulties.
Passionate about fundraising, Sally has gone on to support many military charities and good causes by undertaking arduous endurance challenges. These include founding and leading the first ever all-female wounded, injured and sick team to complete the Race Across America, the World’s toughest cycle race, as well as the Arch to Arc triathlon, which involved running from Marble Arch to Dover, swimming the English Chanel and then cycling from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe.
She has also completed 8 Ironman triathlons and the gruelling Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert and holds 6 Guinness World Records and 5 World firsts. Sally has spent most of her life committed to helping others become the best version of themselves, through volunteering.