Back in the day we used to write about Orlando von Einsiedal as a pro snowboarder competing at Board X at Alexandra Palace. Last night he won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short for The White Helmets.
In their acceptance speech, Joanna Natasegara said "Thanks to the Academy for this huge honour. To all of our teams. Of course to Netflix, our work family, for supporting us with this film but most of all, thank you to the White Helmets.
Orlando von Einsiedel added "Sadly, Raed Saleh, the head of the White Helmets, is not able to join us tonight. We have a very short statement from him that we'd like to share with you: 'We're so grateful that this film has highlighted our work to the world. Our organisation is guided by a verse from the Koran: 'To save one life is to save all of humanity. We have saved more than 82,000 civilian lives. I invite anyone here who hears me to work on the side of life, to stop the bloodshed in Syria and around the world.'
"It's very easy for these guys to feel they're forgotten. This war's been going on for six years. If everyone could just stand up and remind them that we all care, that this war end as quickly as possible. Thank you."
Check out the trailer for The White Helmets. The full documentary is on NetFlix.
If that's not your thing, well Orlando never forgot his roots, so check out We Ride from 2013 "the true story of how a few pioneers carved out a lifestyle and created a sport for millions".
Or try Skateistan: To Live And Skate Kabul.
Skateistan: To Live And Skate Kabul from Grain Media on Vimeo.