Can you power the tower?

Steve Thomas was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2014. Here he explains how he dreamed up a brand new fundraising challenge for MS-UK, and how you can take part!

The concept of the Tower Walk came about when I was on a Peer-Pod call last year with some of the MS-UK team.

I explained that I believe in looking at the way you do things, trying to adjust the way you do it, and see if you can achieve more than you thought you could. This is how the Tower Walk idea came about.

My dream was to combine my favourite building, the Gherkin, in London, with a fund-raising event to support others with MS.

I remember watching the Gherkin being built from my office window. When it was completed, I realised that it had become one of my favourite buildings in London.

I am lucky to still be able to walk up the stairs in my house (a total of 14), so I believed that if I made some adjustments, I would be able to walk up the Gherkin. My adjustments were to add time to the challenge. The Gherkin is 38 floors, comprised of 76 flights of stairs totalling 1,037 steps.

After trying to convince my family I had not lost my mind (and trust me that was as difficult as the challenge), I mentioned the idea to one of MS-UK’s fundraising team Lucy King. “Let me look into this,” she said. After a couple of weeks, Lucy called me saying, “That Gherkin thing, it is a goer!” I can remember thinking, what have I done?!

The world record for climbing the Gherkin is an amazing four minutes and 10 seconds. I knew I would never challenge this time, however, that was not what the challenge was about for me.

Want to join in?

Most can take part in this challenge. All you have to do is allow yourself enough time to complete it and take plenty of breaks. There is no time limit, and it is not a race. Take your time, take advice on what to wear and make sure you are comfy.

If you cannot physically take part yourself, then perhaps you could ask family, friends, or colleagues to take on the challenge on your behalf.

Whatever your involvement, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself and be part of something amazing.

The big day came, and I completed the Tower Walk! I will not say it was easy – it wasn’t. However, the whole day was amazing. The participants, the volunteers, the Gherkin management team and of course the MS-UK team were all fantastic.

When the challenge was complete, the medals were awarded on the 30^th floor which we were lucky to have secured for the day. This gave the participants and their families some fantastic photo opportunities with a 360-degree view over London!

The feedback from those taking part was fantastic and this is shown by the amount of people returning to take part in 2024. All of us were amazed at the way the event was organised, bearing in mind it was 11 weeks from concept to completion!

Give it a shot

I would encourage you to take part to see so many amazing people all helping to ensure that people living with MS are supported in as many ways as possible. Even if you do not complete it, at least you tried!

On the day you will meet a group of people who are taking on a challenge that is ‘different’. The same people are supportive and are fantastic to speak to regarding why they are raising awareness of MS and much needed funds.

The other point is last year 26 people took part and we raised just over £14,000. This year we are hoping 75 people take part and we raise £25,000.

Help us hit the target and support so many more people with MS.

I hope to see some of you on the day, or even at the top, and never give up on your dreams.

Event details

13 October 2024

The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8BF

38 floors and 1,037 steps

£250 fundraising target per person

Every person that signs up will receive an MS-UK t-shirt to wear during their challenge and will be rewarded with an exclusive medal once their climb is conquered!

If you would like to speak to someone or find out more about The MS-UK Tower Walk, then call Shannon on 01206 226500 or email fundraising@ms-uk.org