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Sarah Mittal
from Southport takes on the Step Change 2012
SARAH Mittal from
Southport, is taking on the challenge of the Step Change event at
London’s iconic 'Gherkin' building on 4 March 2012,
and is encouraging others to enter and help the NSPCC’s ChildLine
service to continue to be there for vulnerable children.
ChildLine has been granted
exclusive access to '30 St Mary Axe' to host the
event, which is open to corporate teams, individuals, families, and
groups of friends. The
challenge is to run up 38 flights of stairs and enjoy a well
deserved glass of champagne and a panoramic view of the city from
the restaurant at the top. 'Tower running' turns the
idea of a race literally on its head. Instead of running on a
typical route, participants take the stairs up 'The Gherkin'
in a race to the 38th floor.
Sarah, who turns 48 on the day of the event, and a nurse, said:-
"This is the first time I have taken part in the NSPCC Step
Change challenge. It started with my daughter Rebecca saying to my
best friend that she would like to see the Gherkin. Then another
friend, Diane, told us the NSPCC were organising a fundraising event
to climb the steps in the building so the three of us thought it
would be a fun event to do and that we could help children in need
at the same time. When we signed on and saw more about what the
NSPCC do we were amazed to see the charity was founded in 1884. It
does so much to help children, not only through ChildLine but also
by work in schools and teaching children to protect themselves
against things like bullying. We are very much looking forward to
the challenge, especially reaching the top!"
The event is being backed by mother of 3 and Olympic gold medallist
Sally Gunnell, who 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 a corporate
team, enter today and help ChildLine to protect vulnerable children
in this area."
The entry fee for Step Change 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.
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 attend free with a paying adult).
This is the 3rd year that Step Change has been staged and it is
hoped that the event will raise £200,000 for the charity. For
more information on the Step Change and how to enter, visit:-
nspcc.org.uk/stepchange for
more information.
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Dive with sharks
to save lives
A leading charity which
funds research into treatments and cures for muscle diseases is
challenging adventurous people to learn the basics of scuba diving
in a gigantic aquarium tank - with a variety of sharks, stingrays
and conger eels for company.
The ‘Discover Scuba’ challenge, organised by the
Muscular Dystrophy Campaign to raise funds to fight muscle disease,
is aimed at diving beginners and takes place at the Blue Planet
Aquarium in Cheshire, one of only two places in the UK where this
activity can happen. Those brave enough to take the plunge are asked
to raise a minimum amount of sponsorship and the next session is on
Sunday, 25 March 2012.
Participants learn the basics of scuba diving among one of Europe’s
largest collection of sharks, including 10 foot sand tiger sharks,
as well as hundreds of other fish. Scuba equipment and training is
provided under Professional Association of Diving Instructors
guidelines.
Maria Drozd, who did a Discover Scuba dive recently said:-
"Thanks for organising such a great event. I absolutely loved every
second of it. Diving with sharks is a great way to raise funds to
help the work of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. It was a unique
opportunity to come face to face with one of nature’s most feared
creatures. I would definitely recommend it."
If you would like to learn the basics of scuba diving and get close
up and personal with the sharks please contact Charles Horton by
email or call the Regional
Office of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign on:- 01244 536551.
Approximately 8,000 children and adults in the North West are
directly affected by muscle disease, a condition which causes
muscles to progressively waste and weaken. Muscle disease is
life-limiting. There are no cures.
The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the leading UK charity focusing
on muscle-wasting disease. It has pioneered the search for
treatments and cures for more than 50 years, and is dedicated to
improving the lives of all children and adults affected by muscle
disease.
We fund world-class research to find effective treatments and cures;
provide practical information, advice and emotional support for
individuals, their families and carers; campaign to raise awareness
and bring about change; award grants towards the cost of specialist
equipment; and provide specialist education and development for
health professionals. |
