For Olivia Robinson, the real battle has rarely, if ever, been one between bat and ball.
聽This is despite being a prodigious member of the Worcestershire pathway setup as a youngster, and an avid club cricketer at her local team in Western Australia.
Now 36, Robinson experienced severe mental health struggles from a young age but credits cricket as a cornerstone of her recovery. Today, she鈥檚 taking on an altogether different challenge.
Currently trekking through the Scottish Highlands, Robinson has already covered more than 1,000 kilometres on foot from Land鈥檚 End in Cornwall, with her ultimate goal - John o鈥� Groats - finally drifting into view. Along the way, she鈥檚 visited over 60 cricket clubs, each welcoming her with open arms.
聽鈥淐ricket鈥檚 positive community has been just amazing, so, so lovely,鈥� Robinson said, speaking from the pavilion at Linlithgow Cricket Club, just west of Edinburgh.
聽鈥淚t鈥檚 good knowing that I鈥檓 making a positive impact. When I was unwell, there were people I was inspired by - and if I can now inspire the next generation, or just encourage more people to participate in cricket, then it makes it all worthwhile.鈥�
聽Robinson is raising money for Chance to Shine, a UK-based charity that provides children with opportunities to play cricket, while helping them learn, grow, and develop essential life skills. Their work in state schools and underserved areas helps young people build confidence, find community, and gain a sense of belonging.
聽The power of cricket for many young people is profound - but for Robinson, aged just 17 at the time, it was nothing short of a lifeline.
聽鈥淚 was playing Under-17s for Worcestershire before I became anorexic and tried to take my own life. My dad wanted to remind me that life could still be good. He asked me, 鈥榃hen have you enjoyed being alive?鈥�
聽鈥淐ricket was one of those moments. And he said, 鈥榃ell, let鈥檚 make a deal.鈥� It sounds so crude and basic, but he told me to try getting back out on that cricket pitch. If I was still unhappy after giving it a real go, then fine - but at least I鈥檇 have tried.
聽鈥淪o basically, I made a deal with my parents. I鈥檇 give it one last shot.
聽鈥漈hat decision - to step back out onto the field - proved to be a turning point.
聽鈥淚 started to feel the love of being outside, running around, being part of a team... My mindset got healthier alongside my physical health. The more I played cricket, the more I forgot those dark thoughts.
聽鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 overnight - it took a decade of hard work to get to a really healthy place. But it reminded me: there are fun things in life.鈥�
聽The theme of overcoming adversity through sport - especially cricket - has made raising money for Chance to Shine all the more poignant for Robinson.
鈥淚鈥檝e had so many messages,鈥� she continued. 鈥淥ne woman told me her teenage son had taken his life after struggling with mental health for years. She said he鈥檇 had some good times through cricket, especially thanks to the Chance to Shine programme.
鈥淪he specifically wanted to thank me for raising money for the charity. Messages like that have been amazing - they really keep me going.鈥�
Among those supporting Robinson鈥檚 journey are some familiar faces from the cricketing world - including Australian international Cameron Bancroft.
鈥淚鈥檓 a full-time artist now, but I also worked as a massage therapist for Western Australia Cricket - that鈥檚 how I know him. He鈥檚 one of my best friends, a deep and wise person. He even helped out with part of the journey when I passed through his flat in Gloucestershire. We鈥檙e very similar people.鈥�
And so the mammoth, often gruelling, trek continues. With no support crew, a classic British summer of unpredictable weather, and endless logistical hurdles, 鈥楲iv鈥�, as she鈥檚 affectionately known, is edging ever closer to her final stop.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 quite sunk in that I鈥檝e walked over a thousand kilometres already, pretty much on my own - no van, no team following me.
鈥淔or the first time in a very long time, I feel proud of myself.鈥�