A YORK businesswoman has raised almost £5,000 for charity by trekking for 12 days across Patagonia.

Gemma Lumley runs copyrighting business Urban Media Publishing in York and carried a heavy backpack across glaciers and mountains to raise money for the NSPCC.

Gemma, who is a mother of two, said there were times when she wanted to give up, but she kept going by thinking about how the funds would help children in need.

She said: "It was an amazing experience, with incredible views. But there were days when the trekking was difficult and you just felt like stopping and sitting down.

"But then I would think about why I was doing it – that I was there to raise money for the NSPCC – and then I would think ‘stop whinging, as some people have it worse’. We had a great group – we all just kept each other going. And all together we raised more than £30,000 for the NSPCC."

Gemma began fundraising for the NSPCC three years ago, and has previously taken part in the Great North Run, the Great Manchester Run - while dressed as Pantosaurus - walked to Everest Base Camp and undertaken the Yorkshire Peak Challenge, as well as organising fundraising events in York.

All the money she raised will go to the NSPCC, which runs services in York including one that visits primary schools, talking to children about their right to be safe from abuse and neglect.

*Anyone with concerns over child neglect or abuse can contact the NSPCC’s free and confidential helpline on 0808 8005000.