The founder of a Darlington charity set up in memory of his teenage son has described his "incredible" experience at the Pride of Britain Awards in London.
Michael McWilliams, co-founder of the Harvey McWilliams Foundation, travelled to London on Monday, October 19, after the charity won the 2026 Pride of Britain Regional Award for North East Charity of the Year.
At London's Grosvenor House Hotel, Michael met charity founders, inspirational figures and famous faces from across the country.
Harvey's dad, Michael McWilliams, and family friend and Foundation Trustee, Alison Pearson (Image: HARVEY MCWILLIAMS FOUNDATION)
The foundation was set up in memory of Michael's son Harvey, a football-loving Sunderland fan who died by suicide aged 18 in 2021 while studying at the University of Exeter.
Harvey's brother Luke founded the charity to continue his legacy of giving football boots and kits to youngsters who needed them.
Three years on, the foundation has helped thousands of families across the North East by providing free football boots, kits and winter jackets to children and young adults.
Harvey McWillams (Image: FAMILY)
Michael said the award was still sinking in.
He said: "I'm in a bit of shock, to be fair; we've only been a charity for three years, but to win something like this was incredible.
"To get nominated in the first place was great, but to find out we'd won was brilliant.
Alison Pearson, Trustee of the Foundation and Vito Coppola, from Strictly Come Dancing (Image: HARVEY MCWILLIAMS FOUNDATION)
"We had a good time down there and were looked after by ITV - we got to meet a lot of people who are making differences for their communities.
"Then we got to the red carpet and got to meet people you see on the TV and hear on the radio; it was a great time.
Harvey McWillams and Michael McWilliams (Image: FAMILY)
"There was the likes of Pete Wicks, who spoke to us, we saw Frank Bruno and the Strictly Come Dancing lot.
"Jack Grealish was great to chat to and took a great interest in what we do."
Michael said the award had already opened doors, with organisations offering support and helping make football equipment more accessible.
He said: "When we got the nomination, we saw ourselves get busier, with the council getting in touch to ask to be a drop-off point for boots, which is great.
"To say that we're a grassroots charity from the North East, to win is just brilliant."
Since its launch, the foundation has grown significantly and now supports families across Darlington, County Durham, Teesside, Newcastle and North Tyneside.
Earlier this month, Michael said the charity had distributed more than 5,400 pairs of football boots this year, helping nearly 3,000 families.
Michael McWilliams with footballer Jack Grealish (Image: HARVEY MCWILLIAMS FOUNDATION)
Michael wants the foundation to keep helping youngsters enjoy football without the financial barriers that stop them taking part.
He said: "We just want to keep things basic, handing out kits and boots. We still want to do more and help more people and expand.
"We're helping lots of people, but there is still the problem of people having to spend money to get to us, so hopefully we can partner with schools, clubs, agencies, councils to help get the boots and kits to people where they are based."
The foundation is discussing ways to expand its reach with Sport England and Eastbourne Sports Complex in Darlington.
Michael hopes the partnerships will put equipment in more locations, reducing families' journeys to collect boots and kits.
Harvey McWillams (Image: FAMILY)
The foundation will also continue its annual For Harvey events, fundraising walks and popular football boot cleaning sessions.
Michael added: "We're talking with Sport England and the Eastbourne Sports Complex in Darlington to see what we can do in the future.
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"We'll still run the For Harvey events and the walks we do every year and still do the boot cleans.
"We want to grow from the North East but want to steadily build. We'll sponsor even more teams than we already do next season."
Michael said the greatest reward was seeing Harvey's kindness continue to change lives.
He said: "It gives us a lot of comfort that we can continue to do what he did.
"It's nice to see his name pop up, whether that's on the kits or signs or wherever it is.
"Don't get me wrong, it's still difficult and gets overwhelming. After all, I never knew something positive could come from such tragic circumstances."