Veteran Marathon Fundraiser
1522. Sally Orange
Sally Orange, from Staffordshire, is a physiotherapist and army veteran who, while completing her induction to work at the NHS Nightingale Hospital in April, ran a marathon around the building in her scrubs and facemask for NHS Charities Together and Frontline Children.
Sally has now run a total of 60 marathons in different items of fancy dress, in a bid to change the conversation on, and reduce the stigma associated with mental ill heath, raising over £50,000 for military charities. In the process she has broken 5 Guinness World Records, and set 5 world firsts including being the first person to complete a marathon on every continent in fancy dress, and more specifically, dressed as different pieces of fruit.
In a personal letter to Sally, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I was lost in admiration to hear of how you have completed 60 marathons, including one running around the outside of the NHS Nightingale Hospital in your scrubs and facemask.
“Your fancy dress marathons have raised the nation’s spirits as well vital funds for healthcare and military charities.”
Sally said:
“Wow, what an honour! To say this came out of the blue would be an understatement and I am totally blown away to receive such a prestigious award from the Prime Minister. Who would have thought running around the world dressed as different pieces of fruit could make such a positive impact?!
“It just goes to show that you don’t always have to be the fastest or the fittest to make a difference in life – that’s my message to all of you, and especially younger generations, when you’re setting yourself goals. To me, physical activity is more about getting out, having fun and raising money for worthwhile causes.
“Living with a mental illness has made me extremely passionate about changing the conversation on, and reducing the stigma associated with, poor mental health. It is definitely better to light one candle than to curse the darkness and, through revealing my own vulnerabilities, I truly hope I can be the Point of Light in someone else’s darkness.”
Pictured below: Sally with one of her Guinness World Records after completing the London Marathon in 2019
