NZ Premier John Key climb’s London’s iconic Gherkin

New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key who is in London for Friday’s Royal Wedding took time off to climb the iconic Gherkin office tower in the City.

He made his way up the 38 storeys for a reception to thank UK well-wishers who have donated cash to the Christchurch earthquake appeal.

Volunteers aim to raise another �250,000 with a sponsored climb of the 1,037 steps up to the observation room at the top of the office block near Aldgate on May 22.

Mr Key wanted to see just what the volunteers would be seeing as he looked out onto the City skyline with his host Kent Gardner, chief executive of Evans Randall property company which owns the building.

The New Zealand Government’s Christchurch Appeal was set up following February’s earthquake which cost 180 lives and destroyed 10,000 homes.

Organisers arranging the sponsored stair climb are appealing for more volunteers to help reach their target and register on their website: www.stepup4christchurch.com.