Life in the City can often be a race to the top – and now Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Children’s Charity is calling on Square Mile suits to do just that in aid of seriously ill kids.
The charity has thrown down a gauntlet to the City’s corporate population ahead of the return of its popular Tower Climb event, which will see only the boldest surge up the steps of the Walkie Talkie in a sponsored sprint to the summit.
The inaugural climb was held in 2018, and Laura Savory, head of community fundraising for the charity, says every step taken on that day has helped transform the care GOSH is able to deliver.
She is hoping for a repeat performance this time around to ensure the hospital’s fine work can continue.
“Every step our Tower Climb heroes take and every penny they raise will make a real difference to children at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
“The Walkie Talkie building is a great fit for our runners and is a great gift for the event. For the people who look up at the Walkie Talkie each day, this is a chance to look down from it.”
Laura was the first one up the tower last year as part of a safety sweep, and believes she is set to be first to the top in 2019, too.
“I have been on the stair machine this year, so I’m ready,” she said.
“I totally agree it is a unique race, and we welcome all types of participants. It can take people a few minutes or 20 minutes, as long as they are helping to raise these important funds we are delighted.”
Some 150 participants are already signed up to compete in the unique test of endurance, which pits runners – released in waves to avoid congestion on the stairwell – against 800 steps across 36 floors.
Cash raised will help finance the hospital’s most urgent needs.
This includes pioneering research to find treatments for the most complex childhood illnesses; providing advanced equipment; and supporting the refurbishment of the hospital to provide state-of-the-art facilities to match its world-class care.
The 2019 edition of the Tower Climb is being sponsored by Delta Air Lines and supported by Rothesay Life, and will take place on 2 March.
Entry is £25 for adults and the event is open to anyone aged 16 and above. Charity organisers only ask that participants try to raise at least £250 for their cause.
All participants will receive a complimentary race T-shirt, a well-deserved finishers’ medal, and a celebratory refreshing drink in the building’s Sky Garden.
For more information and to sign up visit gosh.org/towerclimb or contact the Tower Climb team at [email protected] or by calling 020 8341 3270.
