Olympic champ Keri-Anne steps up for NSPCC Gherkin challenge

OLYMPIC swimmer Keri-Anne Payne joined mountain runners Ricky Lightfoot and Andy Symonds to launch a Step’ change for the NSPCC at London’s famous Gherkin’ office to climb 1,000 steps to the top of the building

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OLYMPIC swimmer and 10km freestyle World Champ Keri-Anne Payne joined world class mountain runners Ricky Lightfoot and Andy Symonds to launch a 'Step' change for the NSPCC children's charity.

They turned up at London's famous 'Gherkin' office tower in The City near Aldgate to get people to sign up to the challenge in the New Year to persuade them to follow in their footsteps and climb 1,000 steps to the top of the building.

The challenge to be held at 30 St Mary Axe on February 7, aims to raise at least �125,000 for the charity's 'Child's Voice' appeal.

The athlete stars were joined yesterday by London Business Group's Chris Day for a 'test run' at the challenge (pictured) which looked daunting before they began.

He said: "We're offering people of all levels of fitness the chance to have a go and help move one step closer to ending cruelty to children."

The charity has exclusive access to London's most iconic office block to stage February's challenge to corporate teams, NSPCC supporters and the public to run up 38 flights of stairs to reach the bar at the top and enjoy a glass of well deserved champagne.

For the less adventurous, a champagne lift pass is available.

Money raised goes to the �50 million Child's Voice Appeal started last September to expand the ChildLine service run from a call centre at Spitalfields in East London and the NSPCC Helpline.

Anyone interested in the challenge can register online call 020-7650 3426 or send an email here.

Entry fee is �40, to raise a minimum �250. Teams of four pay �150 to raise a minimum �1,000.

For the less adventurous, a champagne lift pass is available for �75.