FOOTBALL clubs across the North East are getting ready to support a huge “March for Men-tal Health” in memory of a teenager from Darlington.
The event is being organised by County Durham charity ManHealth, and is in memory of Darlington teenager Harvey McWilliams, who was 18 when he died in December.
It starts next week and the Shildon charity is hoping to raise £10,000 to fund its work in providing peer support groups in County Durham and Darlington.
Read more: ManHealth's 130-mile trek for mental health dedicated to Darlington teen
The young Sunderland fan, who had played for Darlington FC’s academy, had started at Exeter University last year, breaking into the grassroots Exeter Panthers team. He died just before Christmas.
Dad Michael, who has been involved with ManHealth for several years, said: “As circumstances collided, there was a moment when Harvey was frightened, he made a decision that led to him not being with us now.
“I am still grieving, the whole family is, but this march is our way of honouring Harvey because he meant so much to so many people.”
He added: “I know it is a twist of fate that I work in mental health but we have to break down the stigma of mental health problems among men. If this walk helps starts the conversation, it will be worth it. But I want everyone to know that Harvey wasn’t living with mental health issues – it was quite the opposite.”
The 122-mile trek takes place over six days and will involve 17 football clubs in the region, including Sunderland, where walkers will be met by former Sunderland captain Gary Bennett, and Darlington, which is also set to host an event with mental health organisations on April 23.
Starting in Bedlington on April 13, it will finish in Middlesbrough on April 18.
It will raise money for ManHealth, which is based in Shildon and runs groups across County Durham and Darlington to provide mental health support for men.
The walk starts on April 13 with a raft of North East clubs in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Teesside serving as staging posts along the route.
“Football is rightly playing its part as Harvey was football mad - he played for quite a few teams including Darlington Academy and Exeter Panthers,” said Michael. “He made quite an impact with the Panthers as they are changing their team’s colours to Sunderland’s red and white to honour Harvey and their player of the year award is to be named after him.
“There has been great support from all the clubs on the walk and the likes of Northumberland FA. It seems football is galvanising the various communities to get behind the walk.”
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He added: “My fondest memories of Harvey - apart from his birth, of course - was just watching him play. He was a talented, old-school defender. Think Kevin Ball or Lee Cattermole, shirt tucked into his shorts – that was Harvey.”
Jim Gilling, chair of the SAFC Branch Liaison Council said: “We at the BLC wish Michael and the rest of those participating best wishes for the walk and hope that they raise plenty of funds for ManHealth. This charity is fully behind helping to improve the quality of life for men in the area, the BLC is proud to support such an event.
“It falls in the same category as our assistance we provide at our Mental Health Hub at each home match. The BLC will provide assistance in promoting the event and also much-needed refreshment when the walkers reach the Beacon of Light adjacent to the stadium.
"It is hoped that donations will be raised from our member branches as well as the wider football family. Well done to everyone involved in the event we Michael and Co raise a large amount of funding for this deserving charity.”
A team from ManHealth will be joined by walkers from the wider community as its takes in a route starting from Bedlington Terriers on April 13 over six days before finishing on April 18 at Middlesbrough FC.
The full March for MEN-talHealth itinerary:
April 13: Bedlington Terriers, Blyth Spartans, Cramlington Town, Whitley Bay FC, North Shields FC. 20 miles
April 14: North Shields FC, Darsley (NUFC Training Ground), Newcastle United, Gateshead FC, South Shields FC. 22miles
April 15: South Shields FC, Sunderland AFC, Seaham Red Star, Hartlepool FC. 25 miles
April 16: Hartlepool FC, Spennymoor FC, Bishop Auckland FC, Shildon FC. 27miles
April 17: Shildon FC, Darlington FC, Stockton FC. 22miles
April 18: Stockton FC, Middlesbrough FC. 6 miles
For more information visit https://manhealth.enthuse.com/
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