Hundreds Of People Have Climbed London's Gherkin For NSPCC Fundraiser

Hundreds of people have climbed to the top of one of London's most iconic skyscrapers in aid of a national children's charity.

The NSPCC held the fundraiser in glorious sunshine on Sunday.

Not that the weather mattered to those taking part - their climb was firmly indoors, tackling the building's 1,308 steps.

And the fastest time was made by seasoned amateur runner Rich Sirrs, with an impressive four minutes, 23 seconds.

Fastest at the #GherkinChallenge was Rich Sirrs with 4.23. Outstanding effort. @TowerRunningUK @runnersworld pic.twitter.com/27ry8OGG9b

— Paul Spivey (@SpivDogg) September 6, 2015

Formally 30 St Mary Axe, the building is known for its familiar shape and hundreds of people took part in the event.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who took on the #GherkinChallenge today - you've done something amazing for children! pic.twitter.com/8ppZx1QJbW

— NSPCC (@NSPCC) September 6, 2015

Keep going #TeamNSPCC! Every step (all 1,308 of them!) is helping keep children safe! #GherkinChallenge pic.twitter.com/6kKfFx2ITn

— NSPCC (@NSPCC) September 6, 2015

Minor casualties for team1 @payfriendz after #gherkinchallenge @nspcc pic.twitter.com/gARDdTomCA

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— Volker Breuer (@volkerbreuer) September 6, 2015

Team @payfriendz facing the #GherkinChallenge - 38 floors here we go pic.twitter.com/MCCpDbRI6W

— Sherin Nuernberg (@Sherin_London) September 6, 2015

I did it, completed the #GherkinChallenge in 8 minutes 56 seconds. A wonderful challenge & a wonderful charity @NSPCC pic.twitter.com/6PGoWQS73X

— Matthew Stuart (@matthewsworld) September 6, 2015

About to climb to the top of 1 of the most iconic buildings in LDN 🙌 #GherkinChallenge @NSPCC See you in 1037 steps pic.twitter.com/hX3O82AGbO

— AJ ODUDU (@AJOdudu) September 6, 2015

So glad I did the #GherkinChallenge for the @NSPCC today! It was a lot thougher than I thought it would be! 💪 pic.twitter.com/LFuBj4wuf8

— Sophie (@sophkean) September 6, 2015

And celebrities through themselves into the challenge too. 'Countdown' presenter Rachel Riley completed it in just under nine minutes.

Hopefully @NSPCC will have raised over £200k with their #GherkinChallenge Well worth 8m 52s of stair climbing for 😊 pic.twitter.com/bkdZ96svnv

— Rachel Riley (@RachelRileyRR) September 6, 2015

So I didn't quite do it in 4m34 (amazing) but I got to the top! Well done fastest man of the day 👍 #GherkinChallenge https://t.co/4hOH3AIZsH

— Rachel Riley (@RachelRileyRR) September 6, 2015