This post leaves me a bit breathless to be honest, but on 4 March 2012 ‘Step Change 2012 – The Gherkin Challenge’ will involve a race to raise money for ChildLine, where hundreds of runners will take on the 38 flights of stairs comprising 1,037 steps that take you to the observation deck on the top floor of Norman Foster’s Swiss Re Tower at 30 Mary Axe in the City of London (affectionately known as the ‘gherkin’).
Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell is supporting the event this year and, as you may know, ChildLine (which celebrates its 25th year of operation in 2012) is the NSPCC’s national 24-hour free helpline for kids who are in danger or distress. ChildLine’s counsellors are trained to offer support and advice on a whole range of issues, and they’re also able to call in emergency services if the young person on the other end of the line is in immediate danger. Their helpline number is very easy to remember – it’s 0800 1111.
The entry fee for individual runners involved in ‘Step Change 2012′ is £20, £70 for a team of four or £20 per adult and £10 per child for family teams, and of course participants are also invited to raise sponsorship from co-workers, family and friends. If you register before the end of February there’s a two-for-one offer on fees for individual and team registrations. ’Step Change 2012′ is also catering for the less physically able - for those like me who couldn’t face that many stairs there is also a £75 ‘champagne lift pass’ which sounds rather more like my style! Of course all of these fees go to the charity, which is hoping to raise a whopping £200,000 this year.
If you do take part I don’t think I have what it takes to be there in body, but I will definitely be there in spirit!
February 1, 2012
Charity and Environment, Events