A six-year-old boy braved heavy rain and chilly conditions to walk 15 miles to raise thousands to transform a school playground.
Harvey Goodman, from Stockton Heath, Warrington, set off from his primary school with Manchester United legend Sammy McIlroy, headteacher, class teacher and family.
The youngster raised an incredible £7,000 during his seven-hour hike to Old Trafford on Saturday - and even ran the final 100 yards.
United fan Harvey left school with treats and good luck messages from his classmates, teachers and Man United.
Read more: Six year-old Man United Fan to walk 15 miles to Old Trafford to raise money for school playground
Harvey told the Manchester Evening News: “I got a tracksuit bottoms, some chocolate, I got some sweets, I got a coat too and a t-shirt and a jumper.
“They gave me a special letter.”
The letter, sent from Harvey’s ‘friends at Manchester United’, told him how proud the club was for his fundraising.
It said: “Dear Harvey, We have heard about the fantastic challenge you have set yourself.
“We wanted to show our support so there are a few items to keep you warm on your walk.
“We are all proud of you at United and commend your efforts to raise money for the school.
“Good luck!
“Your friends at Manchester United.”
Harvey said that the walk made him feel ‘good, really happy’.
The youngster set off for his walk at 9.15am on Saturday in his new coat with Sammy McIlroy, his headteacher, class teacher and family.
When the group set off, they had raised just over £6,000 and hit £7,000 half an hour before they reached Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, since news of Harvey’s amazing fundraising efforts have gone public, some companies have also donated to the school separately.
To help Harvey understand the huge amount of money he raised, his mum told him the amount in Nintendo Switches.
For £7,435, Harvey could buy just shy of 30 Nintendo Switches.
However, the money will instead be used to resurface the astroturf pitch at his primary school, as well as building a mud kitchen, digging area, sand pit and hiding area.
Harvey’s mum Naiomi Goodman, said: “Sammy [McIlroy] was amazing, really hands on with Harvey, holding his hand while they walked.”
The walk took the group approximately seven hours, with two half an hour breaks, and they arrived at Hotel Football at 4pm for a celebration, met by around one hundred of Harvey’s classmates and friends.
Naiomi expressed how proud she was of what he achieved and how great the day turned out.
She said: “The walk went perfect, it couldn’t have gone any better.
“Harvey set the pace for the walk, it was a great day all around."
When asked if he had any more plans for fundraising, Harvey said: “I’m going to walk from Old Trafford to Wembley!”
To which his mum laughed: “We're definitely going to do it, at least in a year I think.
“I think he’s got the bug for it now, and he’s definitely keen to get going with another fundraising idea.”
Dan Harding, headteacher of Stockton Heath Primary School, described how Harvey has become a celebrity at the school.
He said: "Harvey was truly amazing on the day of the walk.
"He had the same enthusiasm and gusto that he has had every day in the build up to the event.
"He never once complained, moaned or indicated that he was tired and did the entire distance with a smile on his face and a spring in his step.
"I must say he actually dragged Sammy McIlroy and I along at times rather than the other way round!
"The two stops near Dunham Massey and in Sale were perfectly timed for Harvey to take a few revitalising bites of his cucumber sandwiches (as well as some hard-earned sweets!).
"I was very emotional as we approached the finish line as the reality of just what an incredible achievement this was for a six-year-old hit me.
"Having walked over 15 miles for just short of seven hours, to then see Harvey run the final 100 yards to the finish line where his friends, family and supporters were cheering him on was so moving.
"To think he did all of this for his school – to improve the playground he shares with over 400 other pupils.
"This will live long in everyone’s memory and from my perspective is one of the most selfless acts any child has ever performed in my time as headteacher – Harvey is a celebrity in our school now and quite rightly so!"
You can still donate to Harvey's cause, by clicking here .
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