AN AUTHOR from Selby has been made an honorary council member of the NSPCC.

Christina Gabbitas was given the appointment for her dedication to child protection and her fundraising efforts on behalf of the children’s charity, at the charity’s Annual Council meeting which was held in London.

Christina has previously shown her support for the NSPCC by running this year’s London Marathon, along with thirty 10k races to mark the 30th anniversary of the charity’s Childline Service in 2016.

She has also promoted the charity through her series of Children’s Reading Festivals, which encourage children from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to fall in love with reading, and through a rhyming book endorsed by the NSPCC which addresses safeguarding issues by exploring the difference between good and troublesome secrets, encouraging primary school children to speak out if they are worried by anything.

Christina said "I feel so proud to receive this honour. To be associated with the NSPCC, who work tirelessly to protect and support all our children facing abuse and neglect is really gratifying to me.

"I am so clear in my view that nothing could be more worthwhile, then keeping children safe and giving them the vocabulary to ensure they know how to express their worries and speak out in times of need. I had a wonderful day."

Christina was nominated for the award by Ali Jeremy, director of communications at the NSPCC.

Ali said: "Christina deserves the highest level of recognition from the NSPCC for her dedication and unstinting enthusiasm. She is a wonderful lady who is passionate about safeguarding whilst conveying a love of reading which can open up so many new worlds for our children."

An animation of Christina's book Share Some Secrets has been added to an online Child Exploitation toolkit offered to professionals working with children and young people. For more information, go to sharesomesecrets.com