Ex-cricketer in charity walk after anorexia battle

Olivia Robinson now lives in Australia, but is currently walking from Land's End to John O' Groats

A former Worcestershire county cricketer who had to give up the sport due to anorexia has nearly completed an epic walking challenge from Land's End to John O' Groats.

Olivia Robinson, who grew up in Worcester, is visiting more than 70 cricket clubs along the way to raise money for charity Chance to Shine.

She said her cricket journey began in the city before she became unwell and made attempts on her life.

The walk, which she started on 5 June, was about raising money for the charity but also a "personal pilgrimage" to "once and for all say goodbye to all of that trauma".

Ms Robinson, who now lives in Australia, said she hoped to raise £20,000 for the charity which helps young people through cricket, and to finish the challenge in 18 days.

Speaking to BBC Hereford and Worcester from the side of a loch in the Scottish Highlands she said she was on day 61 and has allowed herself one rest day a month - one in Worcester in June, then Leeds and her last one was in Edinburgh.

She said she had fond memories of Worcester.

"Of course, I played all my cricket there which is where this whole journey started, through cricket and living and growing up in Worcester," she said.

'Best shape of my life'

She said went thought a district and county cricket set up in Worcester before she became unwell.

"Unfortunately, I became really unwell with anorexia and attempts on my life," she said.

"I was poorly for about a decade, understandably lost my spot on the team.

"It was really hard to dig deep for about a decade, to find a reason to stay alive, but getting back to cricket and being part of the community, being part of a team, a feeling of elation when you win... that was my main incentive."

Once she was healthy enough to get back on the cricket pitch, she said she "let go" of the illness and moved on.

"I'm very glad to say I still play cricket and I'm in the absolute best, healthiest mental and physical shape of my life - except probably not right now as I'm absolutely exhausted from walking 61 days," she said.

"I just love the game of cricket and that's what this walk is about."

Visiting all the cricket clubs had been "incredible" she said, having reached more than 50 so far.

She added that her full-time job is a mural artist in Australia and she has also being drawing a cricket ball with a smiley face on in a secret place at every club she has visited on her travels.