Best foot forward to be the face of British mapping

The 37-year-old from Garforth, near Leeds got into serious rambling just three years ago but has already clocked up thousands of miles, seen almost every corner of her beloved Yorkshire and raised £6,000 for charity to boot.

It also inspired her to take up photography which has seen her images of Yorkshire landscapes appear in several publications.

Her love of the outdoors life has now earned her a new title – as the national ‘face’ of Ordnance Survey maps, a role she won in a competition to find six map enthusiasts.

Following a professional photo-shoot which involved donning muddy boots, fleece and backpack, the mother-of-one is waiting to see herself in Ordnance Survey marketing campaigns and point-of-sale advertising in stores and online.

After the shoot, Nicky, who works at Corpus Christi Catholic College at Halton Moor, Leeds said: “I met some fantastic people at the photo shoot and can’t wait to see the photos.

“As I said in my competition entry, I like nothing more than getting my hiking boots on and exploring the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. My Ordnance Survey map is an essential item in my rucksack to ensure I’m on track.”

After three years of exploring the hills and dales of Yorkshire, she sees herself as an unofficial ambassador for the county.

She takes photographs as she goes, tweets them to her 3,000 followers on Twitter and never shirks an opportunity to sing the praises of the Broad Acres.

“I think this is a fantastic opportunity to be an ambassador for Ordnance Survey and its Explore More advertising campaign and to represent Yorkshire.”

“Without the Yorkshire countryside I wouldn’t have the love for the outdoors as much as I do. I am so lucky to live in a glorious county that has three wonderful national parts and areas of outstanding natural beauty to enjoy.”

Unlike many walkers, Nicky enjoys solo walking and travelling great distances.

She has completed the 38-mile Six Dales Trail, a 25-mile section of the Dales Way and walked from sunrise to sunset solo along the Cleveland Way in December to raise money for the RNLI.

Walking alone is useful for thinking and relaxing, she says, and it is a trait she shares with another great rambler, the late Alfred Wainwright, author and Lakeland fell walker.

“It’s a great time to think and it’s nice to feel at one with nature,” she added.

After 36 months exploring the peaks and dales, she believes Wensleydale is Yorkshire’s finest place.

“It is really difficult to choose a favourite place in Yorkshire but if I had to choose I guess it would be Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales. It has many beautiful villages, stunning waterfalls, a heritage railway, the famous creamery and the breathtaking Buttertubs Pass which the Tour de France will pass over next year.”

Karen McGrath, a spokeswoman for Ordnance Survey, said Nicky’s enthusiasm shone through.

“We wanted our campaign to feature real people who could inspire others to get outdoors and Nicky really fitted the bill.

“As well as being a keen hiker, who has even organised fund-raising hikes in her local area, Nicky’s enthusiasm for exploring the Yorkshire Dales really shone through.

“We’re looking forward to using Nicky’s image in advertising campaigns over the coming months.”

The winners, who were also challenged to submit 50 words on why they love using the Ordnance Survey maps, come from across the country – but with just one from Yorkshire.

They are:

Matthew Blackmore-Squire, a keen trail runner from Wendover.

Paul Hooper, a hill-walker from Gloucestershire.

Leanne Hughes, a Brownie and Scout leader from Keyworth.

Andy Lock, an outdoors man from Milton Keynes.

Helen Mackie, a volunteer with Berkshire search and rescue from Wokingham.

They will appear in publicity material from November.