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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
PA & Paul Britton

Manchester United fan, seven, takes on 40-mile walk from Liverpool to Old Trafford for his cousin with cancer

A big-hearted Red Devils fan aged seven is preparing to walk 40 miles from Liverpool to Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium to raise awareness and funds for the hospital caring for his young cousin with cancer.

And United legend Sammy McIlroy will be joining Harvey Goodman on his epic charity challenge next month - which has already raised more than £10,000.

Harvey's seven-year-old cousin, Zak, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer last June and is being treated at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

"Since then, he has lost all his hair and he's gone through aggressive chemotherapy, radiotherapy and Alder Hey has pretty much looked after him the whole time," said Harvey's mum Naiomi, 29. "What triggered the idea for the walk for Harvey was hearing how amazing Alder Hey have been - staff there are always on call when Zak needs anything. And he approached us and said he really wanted to do something for Zak."

Harvey said initially he wanted to walk from Wembley to Old Trafford, but that was 'too long'. He said: "So I instead decided to walk from Alder Hey as Zak is there and Zak was really happy that I was doing this walk for him."

Manchester United fan Harvey is to wear a top and coat adorned with the club's logo, with the words 'Harvey 2 Old Trafford' on it, which he hopes will drum up support.

Harvey with Sir Alex Ferguson (PA)

"My friends, family, some of my teachers, my aunties, my uncles and Man United legend Sammy Mcllroy will be on the walk with me”, added Harvey.

The youngster said has been practicing for the challenge by going on walks and delving into numerous sporting pursuits.

"I've done some practice walks, I've been running, I do loads of kickboxing three times a week, I do football two times a week and biking”, he said. When asked about what he is most looking forward to when the challenge finally begins, Harvey said: "Getting to Old Trafford.

"All my friends and family will be cheering for me and that will make me very happy."

Initially, the family, who live in Manchester, set a target of £5,000, which was doubled within a few months and has now been surpassed. "We thought that was a really high figure and if we were to get anywhere near that, we’d be really over the moon," mum Naiomi said. "And the fact that has now been surpassed is amazing.

"It is nice to see the amount of people that have donated, including a lot of United fans, as Alder Hey is a great children’s hospital."

Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving, said: “Harvey is such an inspiration to us all. At just seven years old he came up with and took on this huge challenge to raise vital funds to help his cousin and so many other children being treated at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital."

Harvey’s fundraiser can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/harvey-2-oldtrafford

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