An outdoor-loving librarian’s Christmas Day walk in the Washburn Valley has raised £850 for charity.

Nicky Busby, who has been fundraising for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for the past three years, decided to do something different for her annual sponsored winter walk in 2013.

So on December 25 she headed to one of her favourite valleys and hiked around Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs.

Nicky, a high-school librarian from Leeds and a keen photographer, was recently chosen to be the ‘face’ of Ordnance Survey’s Explore More marketing campaign.

So she is also hoping her latest venture will encourage more people to head to the valley and other parts of the local countryside, armed with their maps.

She said: “I have got to know the RNLI Humber team, based at the very tip of Spurn Point on the Holderness Coast, really well – and David Steenvoorden, the chief coxswain and station manager, is always most welcoming when I deliver my annual funds.

“I always do a solo hike in December, from sunrise to sunset, to raise funds for them. But this year I wanted to do something different.

“I guessed that if I were to give up my Christmas Day then people would be more likely to sponsor me, so I would raise more money for this worthy charity.

“I also have a huge passion for the Washburn Valley so I decided to hike around three of the four reservoirs.

“The valley is a beautiful part of Yorkshire that is accessible for all and it’s a great starting point for people who would like to get into walking or hiking.”

The 37-year-old received a welcome surprise as she set off on her Christmas Day trek when she was greeted by a Twitter follower, Addingham resident Julie Benson, who presented her with a gift and cracker.

Nicky said: “I’m always amazed at the huge support I get from people. This certainly made my morning.

“In total I raised £850 – this would not have been possible without the support from my family, friends and Twitter followers who were all very generous with donations to my justgiving page.”

Over the last three years Nicky has raised £2,500 for the RNLI.

Of the RNLI, Nicky added: “I am full of admiration for the lifeboat volunteers – they are heroes.

“They are ordinary individuals who find the strength and endurance to persevere regardless of the overwhelming obstacles. You never know when you might need them!”