CHARITY fundraiser Helen Verity has got lots of reasons to be cheerful - 200,000 of them.
Helen, 35, was crowned the country's top fundraiser for the NSPCC after bringing in more than £200,000 for the children's charity in the last year.
And yesterday she was celebrating with volunteers who toasted her achievements.
Helen, who is a fundraising co-ordinator across Huddersfield, Halifax, Dewsbury, Bradford and Craven in North Yorkshire, said she was proud of her efforts - but added that it wasn't all down to her.
She said: "We have an amazing team of volunteers who make a huge difference. They give up so much of their time and effort."
Helen, from Halifax, has worked for the charity for eight years.
She said: "We have volunteers like Sue and Tony Thomas from Rastrick who started our Can You Hack It? event which raised £80,000 in just one day."
Helen said working for the NSPCC was more than a job.
She added: "If you work in a bank or whatever it is nice to be praised for your work and it's nice to think you are doing a good job.
"When you work for a charity like the NSPCC it's lovely to think you are doing a good job.
But the money we raise makes a real difference to the lives of children. That's a great feeling."
Helen said she was particularly touched when a child protection worker told her the money they raised helped to protect children in dire need.
She added: "It is so important."
But as well as celebrating her achievement Helen is looking to next year.
She said: "We are already looking at another Can You Hack It? challenge.
"It was in Scarborough this year, but we are looking at West Yorkshire for the next one.
"We've had everything from someone sitting in a bath of beans to an It's A Knockout.
"The people in Huddersfield and Halifax are so good. I just cant wait to get started!" she said.
