Sally Orange MBE
The Fruitful Force Behind Mental Health Awareness
By any measure, Sally Orange MBE is a remarkable woman. But not just for the countless records she’s broken, the gruelling physical challenges she’s endured, or the bright fruit costumes she dons with a smile. Sally is remarkable because of her resilience, because every step she takes, every marathon she runs, and every life she touches is powered by a deeply personal journey through adversity, pain, and hope.
For over 30 years, Sally has volunteered her time and energy to support more than 50 charities, the majority focused on mental health. Her fundraising efforts have approached the £1 million mark, earning her a cascade of honours including an MBE for services to charity and mental health in King Charles III’s first Birthday Honours. Her inspiring story was even featured in Captain Sir Tom Moore’s book, One Hundred Reasons to Hope.
But behind this wall of accolades lies a life shaped as much by struggle as by service.
Sally spent 22 years in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a physiotherapy officer, treating the severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. But beneath the uniform and unwavering professionalism, she fought a private war—nearly two decades of severe depression and anxiety.
When she finally opened up, seeking help, she was met with a devastating outcome: medical retirement from the Army. The very institution she’d served with loyalty now deemed her unfit—not physically, but mentally. And yet, in a display of the very courage she was known for, Sally turned heartbreak into purpose.
Armed with nothing but her resilience, a vivid imagination, and an unshakable commitment to change the conversation, Sally turned to the power of physical challenges to raise awareness.
She has since completed over 85 marathons, one on every continent, dressed as everything from a banana to a box of breakfast cereal. Her costumes are playful, but the message is powerful: mental health is serious, and it’s time we talk about it.
Whether it’s donning a slice of lemon for the Everest Marathon (“ice and a slice”), a nut for the London Marathon (“Nuts About Mental Health—Together We Can Crack It”), or running dressed as a lettuce (“Lettuce Talk”), Sally uses humor and creativity to open doors to deeply personal conversations. And it works.
In 2023, she pushed her mission to new heights—literally—by running 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days, and later, the Everest Marathon, the world’s highest. But these aren’t just endurance feats; they’re platforms. On the climb to Everest Base Camp, a quiet conversation with her Nepalese guide about her struggles led him to open up about his own. Thanks to Sally, he’s now seeking help, turning his and his family’s around.
“I knew without help I wouldn’t live to see 50. Talking to Sally gave me hope,” he said. That’s the kind of impact Sally makes. One person, one conversation at a time.
Sally’s efforts go far beyond symbolic marathons. She spearheaded a nationwide mental health education campaign across the UK Army Cadet Force, reaching 75,000 cadets and volunteers. That campaign set a Guinness World Record for the most people completing a mental health awareness lesson online in 24 hours.
“Sally brought to life the very real and gritty challenges that poor mental health presents. Her passion is truly inspirational. Her physical achievements are phenomenal.”
Despite her own ongoing battles with mental illness, Sally continues to show up. Not as a statistic, but as a symbol. Not to win medals, but to spark conversations. Her advocacy is not driven by ego or applause—but by empathy.
She is, at her core, a force of nature even when dressed as a piece of fruit.