A six-year-old Manchester United fan will be walking more than 15 miles to raise money for his school’s playground.
Harvey Goodman, from Stockton Heath, will walk from Stockton Heath Primary School to Class of 92’s Hotel Football on January 29.
He will walk along the Trans Pennine Trail, heading through Lymm, Altrincham, and Sale to finish his hike near the Old Trafford Ground.
Ex-United player Sammy McIlroy, 67, has confirmed he will be joining Harvey, his family and his teachers.
The avid football fan suggested the idea himself to his head teacher as a way of raising money for his school’s playground, which is in need of refurbishment.
So far, Harvey has raised more than his £3,000 target, but donations keep coming in.
When asked how walking for so long made him feel, Harvey said: “Happy, I’ll be excited.”
Harvey is a lifelong Manchester United fan whose love of the game was inspired by his uncle John.
In his own words, has been to Old Trafford ‘lots of, lots of, lots of, lots of, lots of times.’
His favourite player is Luke Shaw, and while he thinks being a goal scorer for Manchester United would be the ultimate career move, his second, more realistic career goal is to be a brain surgeon.
He has some very detailed plans of how he would like to playground to look once it has been remodelled, he said:
“I want it to have a water area and a mud kitchen.
“With the mud kitchen we need 30 pipes and a tap or the mud will go all over the floor.
“I need a hiding place in the bushes.”
Harvey’s mum, Naiomi Goodman said: “Initially the target was £3000, but obviously a lot more is needed for a playground.
“We are unbelievably proud of Harvey for wanting to do this for his peers.
“The importance of a good school playground and physical activity at school plays a critical role in improving the attention spans of kids, decreases stress and anxiety, and prepares the little ones for classwork.
“It also improves motivation and helps kids try out things that they may not be inclined to try in a classroom setting.
“We're blown away by the amount of support we've had from friends, family, locals and avid Manchester United fans.
“We hit the halfway target within a matter of weeks, it's incredible to think so many people are supporting him with his walk.
“Harvey is really enjoying his training, he is so committed and really took it in his stride to adapt his weekends to doing long walks and hikes.
“This walk is a huge challenge for anyone, never mind a 6 year old boy but the determination he has, is incredible to see.
“I know he will do a fantastic job on the day. We are so proud of him.”
Harvey won’t be alone on the walk, as he will be joined by family, his class teacher Mrs. Realff and his head teacher, Dan Harding, who praised Harvey’s initiative and said:
“For a Year 1 child (6 years old) to plan to walk this incredible distance to fundraise for his school is truly outstanding.
“Harvey is a School Councillor and has really enjoyed learning about our plans to redevelop the EYFS and Forest School outdoor areas.
“He knows that a huge amount of money needs raising for our plans to become a reality.
“Being an avid Manchester United fan like Harvey, I am delighted to be taking part in the walk myself and will support Harvey all the way to Old Trafford.
“To think a child of this age can be so generous, selfless and thoughtful for the benefit of his peers and the wider school community is truly humbling and I am so proud of him for even suggesting this challenge, never mind undertaking it.
“Harvey will have the whole school spurring him on come Saturday 29th January 2022.”
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