Mobility supporters race in stair fundraiser

Four mobility supporters partook in a fundraising event that saw them race up the stairs of London’s Gherkin building. The occupational therapy staff, who work for the Crawley Independent Living Service and visit people’s homes to assess whether they need a stair lift or similar mobility aid for the home, raced up the 1,037 steps of the Gherkin to raise money for the NSPCC, calling their team ‘Stairlift May Be Required’ and raising awareness of mobility issues. 

The team already promote the needs of disabled individuals in their area through their work assessing whether residents need such services as stairlift installation in their home in order to remain independent, but in this particular task there was unfortunately no stair lift at the ready to help.

‘Stairlift May Be Required’

The team, who called themselves ‘Stairlift May Be Required’, looked to take part in the event known widely as the Gherkin Challenge in the hope of raising money for the NSPCC. Having completed the task on the 7^th September, the team have been able to raise over £1,300. Of the cause, one of the team members said in this article, “It is such a great cause.”

She went on to say that she hoped it would raise the profile of those with mobility difficulties who perhaps need a stairlift or electric riser recliner chair to live more independently, saying "We also hope by taking part we can raise the profile of occupational therapists and the work we do."

The Just Giving page for the event is still live and can be viewed at www.justgiving.com/louise-gormley, where visitors to the page are still able to donate to this great charity that supports two causes. The cause received much attention and, as a result, has already raised a great deal of money, with donors writing such words of encouragement and praise as ‘Good luck climbing the cucumber’ and ‘ Hope you don't need to use any of the equipment from work after you've done this challenge!’

Image Credit: Richardjo53 (flickr.com)