A GATESIDE mother and daughter hope to raise £10,000 to make children’s wishes come true by taking on a gruelling Arctic challenge.

Viv Webster, 62, and her daughter Sophie, 19, will trek 70km across the Arctic Circle to raise money for When You Wish Upon A Star.

The charity bring smiles to children aged four-17 with life-threatening illnesses by giving them memories to treasure. One of the wishes they grant is taking children and their families on a magical trip to Lapland to visit Santa.

Viv and Sophie’s Arctic Trek starts in Rovaniemi in Finland – which is also the magical place where the children get to meet the ‘real Father Christmas’.

Viv, a hotel receptionist, said: “I’ve seen how the charity creates treasured memories and I’ve met some of the Wish families.

“The thought that I can in some way help the charity to create those wonderful experiences for families who have to endure so much, is so worthwhile.”

The 62-year-old is no stranger to a challenge – she completed a 26-mile Moon Walk for her 40th birthday, ran a half marathon for her 50th and did a zip slide across the River Clyde for her 60th.

The Arctic Trek is Viv’s most daring challenge yet, and she admits to feeling excited, but slightly nervous about her fitness. Viv and Sophie have also set themselves a challenge of raising £10,000 for the charity and have been arranging events to help reach their target.

Judith King, fundraiser for When You Wish Upon a Star Scotland, said: “Having already done the trek, I know what a life-changing experience it is. Although we had -40 degrees and it was really challenging, I’d do it all again. And when you see the children and their families meeting Santa in Lapland – you know it’s been so worth it.”

Visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/vivandsophiewebster to donate to Viv and Sophie’s trek.

Viv and Sophie’s next event is a buffet and music night on Saturday, October 26 at the Bowfield Hotel in Johnstone from 7pm-12am. Tickets are £14.95 and can be bought by emailing reception@bowfieldhotel.co.uk.