Tower climbers hit great height for GOSH Charity

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Nearly 300 participants dared to take the stairs of the Walkie Talkie on the weekend – scaling great heights to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

For the second year, GOSH Charity hosted a Tower Climb event at one of the tallest buildings in the City of London, 20 Fenchurch Street.

Climbers scaled over 800 steps across 36 floors before being rewarded with spectacular 360-degree views of London in the vibrant Sky Garden, 160m above ground.

The fastest finisher completed the challenge in just four minutes 19 seconds.

Gary, 66 and from London, braved the stairs sporting a purple wig and blue beard to fundraise for GOSH Charity and completed the Tower Climb in eight minutes 38 seconds.

He said: “This is the first Tower Climb I’ve ever done and I was feeling so inspired by the end that I sprinted up the last few flights of stairs. It’s amazing to raise money for such a great cause.”

Among the participants were parents Sophie and Daniel Rix from Wallington in Surrey who took part in this fundraising challenge in the heart of the Capital to support Great Ormond Street Hospital, where their son Henry is currently being treated.

Sophie said: “We’re so pleased that we completed the Tower Climb in under ten minutes, this was our aim.

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GOSH patient Henry celebrated his first birthday on the day of the Tower Climb

“It was a great event and really motivating knowing that so many friends and family had sponsored us to take part and that the money we’ve raised is supporting the hospital where Henry is being treated.

“Henry was waiting for us at the top with our families in the Sky Garden, a place which holds special memories for us, this gave us the drive we needed to reach the summit. It was such a lovely surprise when the cake came out and everyone started singing Happy Birthday to Henry.

“It was his first taste of chocolate and he definitely approved! We spent the rest of the weekend celebrating his birthday with family and friends.”

Money raised by those taking part in the Walkie-Talkie Tower Climb will go towards the hospital’s most urgent fundraising needs.

These include 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 the hospital’s world-class care.

Laura Savory, Head of Community Fundraising at Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, said: “We’re so grateful to Sophie, Daniel and all our Tower Climb heroes for taking on this challenge as they sprinted to the summit to raise money for a fantastic cause.

“Every penny raised will make a real difference to children at Great Ormond Street Hospital.”

The event was sponsored by Delta Air Lines and supported by Rothesay Life.