AS the NSPCC’s fund-raising manager for the region, Rebecca Steele’s job is never boring.

From coffee mornings to charity runs and moonlit balls, the 31-year-old from Oxford is in charge of looking after hundreds of volunteers in the Thames Valley who donate their time.

Her latest project has been to organise the upcoming Hack – Hike Against Cruelty to Kids – in September.

It will be a 25-mile sponsored walk to raise money for helplines such as ChildLine.

She said: “I get to meet people from all backgrounds, who all have a common interest in helping children.

“Anything people want to do, be it street collections or organising a cake stall, we appreciate any time they can give.

“For Hack, we want at least 300 people to take part in a sponsored hike through the Cotswolds.

“It’s such a pretty area and people can do it as individuals or in teams with work colleagues or gyms.”

Even though similar events have already proved successful in other parts of the country, Mrs Steele said the walk had been no mean feat to organise.

She said: “It is quite nerve-wracking, as this is the first one in this region, so we don’t have a huge budget. It is all about proving to people that this is something worth doing every year.”

About 100 people have already signed up to take part, but Mrs Steele said they would love more.

She said: “This is open to people from both genders, of all abilities and ages, and we just want it to be a fun day for everyone involved.”

Ironically though, the organiser herself probably won’t be able to take part, because she is pregnant.

She said: “I’m currently seven months pregnant so it all depends on when the baby decides to arrive really.

“But it’s been my project all along, so it would be horrible not to see it all happen on the day.”

The baby girl, expected in two months, will be a first child for Mrs Steele and her husband Ed, 29.

She said: “It’s really daunting, but just so exciting at the same time.”

And after her new daughter joins the world, Mrs Steele will be heading back to the work she loves.

She said: “I’ve been in the job four years and it is still a very rewarding place to work.”

Eighty five pence out of every £1 raised for the NSPCC is spent directly on children’s services.

For more information, or to register for the Hack, call 01908 328060, send an email to eastappeals@nspcc.org.uk or visit nspcc.org.uk/hack