ESSEX cricketers are set to don their walking boots and running shoes to raise cash for charity.

The Bob Willis Trophy winners are unable to pay their annual visit to Broomfield Hospital children’s ward and hand out presents, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, they still wanted to do something charitable over the festive period and have launched the Essex Cricket Xmas Food Bank Appeal.

The club's players and staff will be running/walking a combined 779km over a two-week period to raise money for The Trussell Trust and for individuals/families in crisis and facing hardship over the festive season.

Players from the club's Men’s, Women’s and Ability squads have offered their services, along with plenty of members of the non-playing staff, making it a club-wide effort.

The Trussell Trust operate across Essex and provide food for those struggling in Chelmsford, Colchester, Clacton, Southend, Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Romford and more.

Why 779km? Well, that’s the cumulative distance of running/walking from Chelmsford to Lord’s, Lord’s to Edgbaston, Edgbaston to Taunton and Taunton back to Chelmsford.

Those are the four grounds that the club have won and secured five trophies, over the last five years.

To donate to the Essex Cricket fundraising, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/essexcricket.