Walkie Talkie Tower Climb 2024 - FAQs

Walkie Talkie Tower Climb is a stair climb event being held on Saturday 16 March 2024 at 20 Fenchurch Street (more commonly known as the Walkie Talkie building). Participants will get exclusive access to the Sky Garden when they complete the climb. Money raised from the event goes to support children who arrive at Great Ormond Street Hospital every day.

Absolutely! You'll be asked during registration if you'd like to set up a team.

You can sign up your team members during your own registration, or invite them to join your team later. Please note, if you sign up others, they'll receive an email to provide additional information, they must do this to be fully registered for the event.

There are 36 floors to take you up to the Sky Garden which equals an impressive 896 steps! You can run, jog or walk your way to the Sky Garden - whatever you feel most comfortable doing.

We do ask that people who want to run go to the front of the waves so that we limit any over taking in the stairwell as much as possible.

Standard registration is £25 with an early bird price of £20 available for a limited period. We ask every climber to try and raise £250 for Great Ormond Street Hospital as well.

If the climb is delayed or cancelled due to a situation beyond our control, like adverse weather conditions, we will try to arrange for the event to take place at a later date but cannot guarantee this will happen. No registration fees are refundable under these conditions.

If the event is cancelled by GOSH Charity due to concerns, or due to restrictions being imposed by the Government, regarding Covid-19 or its variants, which would mean the Event is unable to take place as originally envisaged, we will try to arrange for the Event to take place at a later date, but cannot guarantee this will happen. If we are unable to rearrange another date there are two options available for you:

1. Gift your registration fee – we would be incredibly grateful if you would consider your registration fee as a donation to GOSH Charity; or
2. Request a refund – if the above option does not work for you, we would offer the opportunity to request a refund of your registration fee.

If we are able to rearrange a date and you are unable to attend, the above two options are  also available for you.

Your registration fee includes a free technical t-shirt, timing chip, finisher’s medal and a celebratory drink in the Sky Garden.

Due to the nature of the event, only people over 16 years old can take part. A parent/guardian must register U18s by selecting the U18 ticket upon registration.

Due to the nature of the event, it is not suitable for wheelchair users. However, wheelchair users are welcome to celebrate with participants in the Sky Garden which can be accessed via the lifts.

Due to the nature of the event, it is not suitable for pushchairs. However, pushchair users are welcome to celebrate with participants in the Sky Garden via the lifts.

Yes, you can bring a maximum of three guests along with you on the day to enjoy the Sky Garden and meet you at the top when you cross the finish line. We will require names of all guests attending on the day. All guests will need to be checked in with a member of GOSH staff and they will be given a wristband to wear for the duration of the visit.

The time you selected during the registration process is your arrival time. The first arrival time is 8am, with the climb starting 30 minutes later. There are slots every 30 minutes to choose from.

The event closes at 2pm. Everyone is more than welcome to stay in the Sky Garden after their climb to enjoy the stunning views, but we ask that participants and spectators make their way down no more than 45 minutes after the start of their wave time.

Yes, every participant will be sent a timing chip in their race pack. A leader board will display finishing times up in the Sky Garden and you will be sent a link to all finish times post-event.

Your race pack will be sent to you in the post and you will receive it two to three weeks ahead of the event (depending on when you sign up). Your race pack includes your t-shirt, race number, timing chip, free drink wristband and further information about the event.

Last minute sign ups will be requested to collect their race packs on event day.

There are no changing facilities on site so please come ready to climb.

The only toilets and baby facilities available are in the Sky Garden so you will need to take the lifts to the Sky Garden and back down should you need to use the facilities before the climb.

There should be bag storage at the event (we will keep you updated), however there will be limited space and storage. We would advise participants to bring a small bag, with minimal items. Please note that there is no coat rack and the bag drop is only available for participants only. All spectators must keep their belongings with them.

Yes, as well as the celebratory drink at the finish, water will be available in the Sky Garden and they will also be offering some cakes, snacks and other drinks for an additional cost. Please note that water cannot be taken up the stairs as it is a health and safety risk.

Yes, there will be first aiders and paramedics as well as security staff. We also ask all climbers to provide emergency contact details on the back of their running number.

All climbers are asked to fundraise a minimum of £250 in sponsorship, which goes towards all the amazing, lifesaving work Great Ormond Street Hospital does. When you sign up, you will automatically be set up with a fundrasing page. Get in touch with the Tower Climb team if you would like any fundraising materials or need any advice. Your registration fee goes towards the cost of putting on the event.

The Sky Pod Bar and viewing terraces are naturally ventilated. This means the temperature in the Sky Pod Bar and on the viewing, terraces are similar to the temperature outside, so we suggest friends and family come dressed suitably for the outdoor weather at the time. If you have friends and family coming along, they can bring a warm top for you to put on once you have finished your climb.

Friends and family can bring their own belongings up to the Sky Garden. Friends and family must adhere to the regulations of the Sky Garden:

Admission to the Sky Garden is conditional on security screening of all personal belongings. Any prohibited article, firearm, pyrotechnic, including but not exclusively fireworks and smoke bombs, glass bottles exceeding 33cl, flammable liquids, alcohol or items perceived to be capable of causing harm or being in themselves dangerous are not permitted.

Please note that there are restrictions on the amount of liquids (including gels, lotions etc.) you are permitted to take into the Sky Garden, unless they are essential for medical purposes, special dietary requirements or contain baby food or baby milk. Containers must fit comfortably inside your bag so that it can be sealed.

For more information on security guidelines for the Sky Garden please visit the official website.

Call our Tower Climb team on 020 3841 3270 or email us at tower.climb@gosh.org. We'd love to hear from you.