Gherkineers wanted! Sally Gunnell backs Step Change 2012 raising vital funds for ChildLine

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Published on Friday, 10 February 2012 13:07

Last Updated on 10 February 2012

Monica Costa

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Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell OBE is backing the NSPCC’s Step Change event at London’s iconic ‘Gherkin’ building on 4 March 2012, and is encouraging people to enter and raise much needed funds for ChildLine.

The NSPCC has been granted exclusive access to ’30 St Mary Axe’ to host the event, which is open to corporate teams, individuals, groups of friends and, for the first time, families. The challenge is for Gherkineers to run up 38 flights of stairs to reach the bar at the top and enjoy a well deserved glass of champagne and a panoramic view of the city.

Mother of three, Sally said: “With this event every step counts – 1,037 steps in fact! It’s an opportunity to see the fantastic views from the top of the Gherkin, but more importantly, a chance to support ChildLine’s vital services during its 25th anniversary year, what more could you ask for on a Sunday morning?! Whether you enter Step Change as an individual, a family group, or as part of a corporate team, enter today and help ChildLine to protect vulnerable children.”

The entry fee for Step Change 2012: The Gherkin Challenge is £20 per individual, £70 per team of four, or £20 per adult and £10 per child for the family registration, and participants are also asked to raise sponsorship. And throughout February, the NSPCC is offering two for the price of one on individual and team registrations for the event, making it easier than ever to get involved.

For anyone who doesn’t fancy running up the 38 floors there is the option to purchase a ‘champagne lift pass’ for £75 (accompanied children go free with a paying adult).

This is the third year that Step Change has been staged and it is hoped that the event will raise £200,000 for ChildLine in its 25th anniversary year.

For more information on Step Change 2012: The Gherkin Challenge and details on how to register please visit www.nspcc.org.uk/stepchange or call 0800 101996.

ChildLine on 0800 1111 is the UK’s free, 24-hour helpline for children in danger or distress. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advice and protect children and young people. ChildLine is a service within the NSPCC. In Scotland it is delivered by CHILDREN 1ST on behalf of the NSPCC. Calls to ChildLine on 0800 1111 are confidential, but if a child is in immediate danger the counsellor will let the caller know if they have to break confidentially and contact the emergency services to save the child’s life.

Every £20 raised could help ChildLine answer another 5 calls from children who dial our helpline.

The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children’s charity specialising in child protection. Our vision is to end cruelty to children in the UK and we make a difference for all children by standing up for their rights, listening to them, helping them when they need us and by making them safe. The NSPCC runs projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK’s free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people and the NSPCC Helpline for adults concerned about the safety of a child.