THE adventures of an inspirational Herefordshire youngster will be beamed to millions of homes tomorrow (Friday) during the latest series of a popular BBC documentary.

Hereford College of Arts student Olivia Straker spent four weeks clambering over the Andes last year as part of Beyond Boundaries – a programme following a group of 10 disabled young adults attempting to overcome physical limitations in a demanding environment.

“It was an absolutely incredible trip,” said Olivia, from Abbey Dore, who was 18 when she took part.

“It was really tough going, but we were all in it together, and all helped each other.” Her efforts raised around £15,000 through sponsorship for the county’s Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and Herefordshire Growing Point charities.

Olivia, now 19, suffers with achondroplasia – a form of dwarfism – and was chosen ahead of 150 applicants for the expedition, which was led by former SAS officer Ken Hames.

“Olivia is one of the most inspirational women I have ever met,” said Mr Hames.

“This expedition to Ecuador was one of the toughest challenges I have ever contemplated and she was always ready to give both physical and moral support to her fellow team members even when exhausted herself.

“I owe her a lot for her endless enthusiasm, courage and selflessness belief that we would make it to the end.” She was joined in the Ecuadorian jungle by cerebral palsy sufferers, three amputees, a dysphasic and two deaf people. They travelled up to 20 miles each day, experiencing tropical rain, thick mud, and the freezing, rocky conditions of the Andes mountain range, while making their way from the Amazon Basin to the Pacific Coast.

“We went through the jungle during the rainy season, and the heat as we approached the Pacific was unbearable – that was the part I found the toughest, but as a team we made it,” said Olivia.

The first episode in the four-part series will be shown at 9pm on BBC 2 Friday, May 9.