Humble Harvey is a real hero with an inspirational fighting spirit

In 2019, the youngster was admitted to hospital with a burst appendix and while he was receiving treatment, doctors discovered two holes in his heart.

Harvey’s family were in disbelief when they were told about his heart problems and he needed a nine-hour open heart operation to repair the defects.

Once he had recovered, Harvey started his fundraising journey for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and so far he has raised more than £11,000.

Over the past three years, the 17-year-old has climbed Mount Snowdown just six weeks after his gruelling operation in 2020, jumped out of a plane last year and completed the Snowdon night summit at the end of April to boost the fundraising total.

Fundraiser of the Year winner Harvery Ackerley with LOCALiQ Sales Director Donna Maddock and awards presenter Leanne Campbell (Image: Newsquest)

It’s the challenging night-time trek that is a highlight of his fundraising journey.

Harvey said: “We hiked through the night to reach the top and then came back down again.

“The weather was horrendous – it poured with rain for pretty much the whole night - but we managed to complete the hike in around six hours.”

Harvey’s mum said: “Harvey is a very humble young man who needs to be recognised for his outstanding contribution to Alder Hey’s fundraising campaigns.

“He pushes forward with great determination to not only be the best but to encourage others to do the same.

“He is a true Warrington hero.”

Read about our other Inspiration Award winners here.

Harvey lives in Culcheth and is studying economics, business and accounting at Winstanley College.

After receiving his award at The Village Hotel, Harvey was “shocked and pleased” and “couldn’t quite believe it” but he was a worthy winner, who has blazed a fundraising trail after recovering from his life-changing surgery.

Highly commended in this category were Alana Bradshaw and Matthew Hennessey.