A YORK woman who runs a copywriting business is preparing to walk across glaciers and mountains for charity.

Gemma Lumley runs Urban Media Publishing with her husband, and will travel to Patagonia in Argentina next week in a 12-day trek to raise funds for the NSPCC.

Gemma, who is 37 and a mother of two, started fundraising for the NSPCC three years ago.

She said: "I raise money for the NSPCC because it’s a charity that’s close to my heart. I think the work that it does is really important.

"In 2010, I climbed Kilimanjaro and got addicted to doing these challenges. It’s an amazing feeling when you’ve done one and survived it. You just need to be willing to get out of your comfort zone."

In the last three years, she has also taken part in the Great North Run, the Great Manchester Run - dressed as NSPCC character Pantosaurus - walked to Everest Base Camp and undertaken the Yorkshire Peak Challenge, as well as running smaller local fundraising events in the city.

In preparation for her latest challenge, Gemma said she had taken part in regular boot-camp sessions, "a lot of weight training", and "some practice on the ice wall in Keswick".

Volunteers and staff with the NSPCC spoke to more than 38,000 children in North Yorkshire and delivered assemblies urging children speak out about abuse in 224 primary schools in 2017/2018.

All the money raised by Gemma will go to the NSPCC, which runs a variety of services in York, including Letting the Future in that helps children who have been sexually abused to rebuild their lives.

To sponsor Gemma, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/christmasfundraising2017

*Anyone with concerns that a child is experiencing neglect or abuse, can phone 0808 8005000. Children and young people with worries can phone Childline on 0800 1111 or go to childline.org.uk