Stair Wars: Celebs to step up and battle it out at Tower 42 for Shelter’s 50th Anniversary
Posted 28 Feb 2016
From Celebrity Big Brother, to X-Factor, to Ex on the Beach - 15 stars hot off the nation's TV screens are rushing to mark Shelter's 50th anniversary with the UK's tallest tower-running challenge, Vertical Rush.
Taking place on Tuesday 8 March 2016, Vertical Rush will see over 1,000 runners power their way up all 42 floors and 932 steps of the iconic Tower 42 in the City of London, to raise more than £350,000 to fight bad housing and homelessness.
Shelter, which turns 50 this year, is calling on the public to rise to the Vertical Rush challenge and sign up. With over 100,000 children currently homeless in England – a rise of over 16,000 in the last year alone – Shelter is racing to keep up with the soaring demand for its services across the country.
Joining her fellow TV personalities, Gail Porter, who has spoken openly about her own experiences of being homeless, said:
"Homelessness can happen to anyone – it happened to me. Shelter is there for the millions of people who are facing bad housing or homelessness and have nowhere else to turn. That's why I'm proud to support such a brilliant cause - and get fit doing it!"
Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of Shelter, said: "We're incredibly grateful that so many celebrities are coming out in force to take part in Shelter's 50th anniversary Vertical Rush challenge.
"Shelter has been here to fight bad housing and homelessness for fifty years and we won't rest until we all have a place to call home. Our advice and support can make the difference between losing your home and keeping it, and every penny raised will help us to continue to be there for everyone who needs us."
Barry Rushmer, General Manager of Tower 42 added: "It is great to partner with Shelter for the eighth consecutive year and host Vertical Rush. The event has become a landmark event in the Capital's calendar, having raised nearly £2 million to date, however there is still more to be done if we are going to put an end to homelessness in the UK.
"Vertical Rush is a great way to help this effort and I would like to take this opportunity to encourage as many people as possible to join our celebrities and take part in this year's event. Whether it be before work, on your lunch break, or on your way home it is a quick and fun way to raise much needed funds and support Shelter's vital work."
Notes to editors:
The full list of celebrities participating in Vertical Rush 2016 so far is as follows: Danniella Westbrook; Jeremy McConnell; James Hill; Gail Porter; Martin Lewis; Calum Best; Nell McAndrew; Jake Sims; Jess Impiazzi; Kieran Mcleod; Luke Storey; Rachel Christie; Jay James; George Lineker; Chris Baxter; George Gilbey and Elliot Cross.
Quotes from our celebrity runners and supporters:
Apprentice and CBB star James Hill said: "The only thing I like more than taking part in a good competition, is winning one. Can I beat the other 1000 Vertical Rush runners racing to the top for Shelter? I'll give it a damn good try. And if I don't, at least I can cheer myself up by saying it was all for a good cause!"
TV personality/entrepreneur, Calum Best said: "It shocking that over 100,000 children are homeless and living in temporary accommodation in England today. I'd race up Tower 42 a hundred times if it meant that not a single child would have to wake up homeless tomorrow. I'm supporting Shelter so no family has to fight homelessness on their own."
All journalists wanting to experience the thrill of tower-running first hand can request a free press place by contacting Kimberley Carter at the Shelter press office on 0207 505 2162 / 07850901142 (out of hours) or email us.
For interview requests, or images of the event or of any celebrity participants for publication please contact Kimberley Carter using the details above.
Date of the event: Tuesday 8th March 2016. The first wave of runners will be setting off at 7.30am, and then in hourly waves until 4:30pm.
Location: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1HQ. At more than 600 ft in height, Tower 42 is one of the tallest buildings in the City of London.
In the past seven years 6,372 runners have taken part in Vertical Rush raising over £1.85million to help families facing homelessness.
The number of homeless children in England is published by the Department of Communities and Local Government
At the end of September 2015, 103,430 children were homeless and living in temporary accommodation in England. At the end of September 2014, 87,410 children were homeless and living in temporary accommodation in England.
About Shelter
Shelter helps 4 million people a year fight bad housing and homelessness. For free and independent advice from Shelter visit shelter.org.uk/advice or call the helpline on 0808 800 4444
About Tower 42
Tower 42 is a landmark building offering 324,000 sq ft of high quality office space spread over 42 floors in the heart of the City of London.
The Tower 42 Estate provides a high quality environment with an outstanding range of services.