On 4 March, more than 1,300 people took on the 920 steps of London’s original skyscraper, Tower 42, for homeless charity Shelter at Vertical Rush 2014. The brainchild of Redwood, Vertical Rush is now in its sixth year.

Vertical Rush 2014 is well on its way to setting a new Shelter fundraising record, with in excess of £400,000 promised by participants and supporters. These essential funds will help Shelter meet the growing demand for its helpline service.

Celebrity chef, Jason Atherton, who recently announced he would be opening his latest restaurant City Social at Tower 42, spurred on the first runners with the promise of a pancake breakfast at the top. Duncan James and Lee Ryan from boy band Blue put their own fitness to the test. Duncan was able to beat Lee to the top by 41 seconds with an impressive race time of eight minutes and thirty-one seconds.

Over 4,500 people have taken part in Vertical Rush since its launch in 2009, raising over £1.2 million to help families facing homelessness across the country.