Volunteers from a children's charity have visited 63 Bradford primary schools in the last academic year.

During those visits, NSPCC volunteers have spoken to 18,607 Bradford children about staying safe from abuse and neglect.

For each of the primary schools visited, the NSPCC presents two slightly different assemblies – one for the younger children in Key Stage One, and another for the older Key Stage Two pupils.

The charity's friendly mascot, the speech bubble Buddy, helps children understand about different types of abuse and neglect so that they can get help if or when they need it.

Now, to help fund the charity's work, Sally Clark and her daughter Isabelle are to race up 38 floors to the top of an iconic skyscraper in aid on Sunday, October 27.

It is the 10th year that members of #TeamNSPCC will climb the 1,037 stairs to the top of The Gherkin, London to raise funds for the children’s charity.

Over the past nine years, dedicated supporters like Sally and Isabelle, from Leeds, have raised a total of £1.4 million. This could help fund NSPCC services such as the Speak Out. Stay safe. programme which helps thousands of children stay safe from abuse and neglect.

Sally, who works as a Team Leader in People Operations at the children’s charity, decided to take on the pickle of a challenge with her daughter as a tribute to her colleagues. She said: “I am in awe of the difference that the Speak out. Stay safe. Assemblies can make to children. In a really simple and age appropriate way they let children know that it is ok to tell someone when something worries them or is upsetting. Sometimes children don’t know what to do when something isn’t right, perhaps they don’t have the words but the NSPCC lets them know that they can always speak to a trusted adult, a teacher or parent even Childline.

In the last academic year alone our volunteers have visited 593 primary schools across Yorkshire and Humber, speaking to an incredible 131,425 children about staying safe from abuse and neglect.

Sally and Isabelle have set themselves a target of £555.00 which could help over 180 primary school children meet the school service’s mascot Buddy and his dedicated volunteers.

Sally added: “As a former teacher it was hugely important for me personally to support Buddy and his volunteers reach even more children. For Isabelle who still remembers meeting Buddy when she was at primary school and proudly telling her classmates that her Mum worked for the NSPCC, she knows how critical it was to hear that no matter what, if something is upsetting or frightens you then you must tell a trusted adult or Childline.”

Charlotte Thompson, NSPCC Senior Fundraiser, said: “The Gherkin Challenge is a great opportunity to push yourself and have fun, but at the same time help the NSPCC protect children from abuse.

“Each step of this fantastic challenge has helped to raise an incredible amount of money over the past nine years and we are really grateful to all our fundraisers.

“We will be there to encourage and support our ‘gherkineers’ along the way, and will be celebrating with them at the top. I wish Sally and Isabelle all the very best.”

The record of 4 minutes 48 seconds to reach the summit and enjoy the unmissable view.

To help support Sally and Isabelle’s fundraising efforts please visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=SallyClark20&pageUrl=1

Sign up for The Gherkin challenge or another NSPCC fundraising event at www.nspcc.org.uk/findevent