Harvey McWilliams Foundation awarded £1,000 by Nisa newsagent

The Harvey McWilliams Foundation was awarded the money by Nisa Edgemoor Road, Darlington, through the Making A Difference Locally (MADL) charity.

MADL was founded in 2008 and helps raise money for local communities across the UK through shopping at Nisa and other convenience stores.

Co-founder of the Harvey McWilliams Foundation, Michael McWilliams, said the money will be “outstanding” for the charity.

He said: “It is overwhelming; it is such a large amount of money. It is outstanding for us because it will help a lot going forward with kit.

“It helps us continue the great work we are doing in the community. But it also goes to show we are doing something really positive for people to think of us to receive the money.

Michael with his son Harvey (Image: MICHAEL MCWILLIAMS)

“It goes to show we are doing amazing work as a charity.”

Michael, 50 co-founded the charity with his son Luke, 20, after his other son Harvey tragically lost his life to suicide at the age of 18 in 2021 when he was a student at the University of Exeter.

Michael said he found out the charity had been awarded the money via email, and said the money would be reinvested back into the community.

He said: “We have already helped people in Firthmoor, and some people know of the charity.

“The girls in the shop were really nice and accommodating, and one even commented on the work we have done.”

And Michael explained what the money will be spent on.

“We have to make sure we have the right amount of kit in,” he said.

“If we were short on size five boots for example, we would go and buy pairs of boots out of that money, which would then go back in the community.”

The charity, which will be holding a talk at Firthmoor Community Centre soon, is also embarking on its third ‘For Harvey’ walk later this month, from Blackwell Meadows to the Riverside and back.

Co-founder Michael previously said: “The thinking behind this year’s walk was mainly Harvey's best friend, Matthew.

“He is a Middlesbrough fan and with them being best friends since the age of three, we wanted to do that.

Matthew (left) and Harvey (right) (Image: MICHAEL MCWILLIAMS)

“Harvey is still Matthew’s best friend even now - so we wanted to do something to include Matthew.”

The theme is ‘Walk and Talk Sport’, with anyone joining encouraged to share stories, talk about football and wear the shirt of their favourite team.

Michael said: “We want grassroots football teams, neighbours, their friends. Anybody who wants to join us, please do.

“We want to see a lot of colours on the walk, so people notice what it is we’re doing.

“Sport and football in general were Harvey’s love, so we want to see as many different football shirts on the walk as we can.”

You can donate to the fundraiser by visiting: https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-harvey-event-2026