Youngest ever participant in ‘Step Change’ raises £1,000
At six years old I became the youngest person ever to run up all 38 floors of London’s iconic ‘Gherkin’ building, after taking part in the NSPCC’s Step Change challenge on 6 March 2010.
I joined hundreds of other runners – including my Mum, Katie – to face the challenge of climbing 1,037 steps to the top of 30 St Mary Axe in the City of London – also known as ‘The Gherkin’. I completed the challenge in just 15 minutes, 58 seconds – and just over my £1,000 target. The NSPCC asks individual entrants to raise at least £250.
“It was really exciting, especially being the youngest-ever person to do the NSPCC Step Change. I got special permission to do it – as long as I raised lots of money!”
Colchester NSPCC Business Group said, “We’re so proud of Jasmine. She decided she wanted to do it with me, and wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, so her mother asked the NSPCC if it was OK. She trained at the weekends with her mum who is a huge NSPCC supporter too. It is a great idea for a challenge. Instead of running a normal race on a typical route, everyone takes the stairs up the Gherkin, and raises money for the NSPCC’s Child’s Voice Appeal. I think now it’s possible that we may see this annual event opened up to younger competitors in future. Thank you Jasmine for paving the way!”