Harvey Price is announced as new ambassador for Mencap charity

Harvey Price has been announced as a new ambassador for Mencap charity as he reveals his hopes to raise awareness for learning disabilities.

Katie Price’s son Harvey, 18, admitted he was ‘so happy’ to take on the new role and said he hopes to combat online trolling and become a voice for his generation.

Speaking of his new role, Harvey said: ‘I am so happy to be a Mencap ambassador. I want to do good things with the charity like stop online trolling and be a voice for young people like me. I can’t wait!’

Harvey plans to use his new position to act as a role model to young people with a learning disability and educate the general public to help tackle the stigma.

Harvey, whose father former footballer Dwight Yorke, was born with Septic Optic Dysplasia, Prader-Willi syndrome, autism and a learning disability.

His documentary, Katie Price: Harvey and Me, which follows Harvey and his mum during a crucial year in his life as he turns 18, won widespread praise from viewers.

Speaking about his new role, mum Katie said: ‘Now Harvey is 18, he is becoming a man and growing in confidence and independence. 

‘It has been Harvey’s dream to be a role model to young people with complex needs across the UK, and to use his profile to raise awareness.

‘I am thrilled that Harvey has become an Ambassador for Mencap. Mencap does fantastic work campaigning against inequalities, supporting people to live the lives they want to and bringing about change in attitudes towards people like my son. 

‘I am so proud to see him take on this role and I can’t wait to see what he will achieve with Mencap.’  

Chief Executive of Mencap, Edel Harris, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Harvey Price as our Ambassador. Harvey is already doing some great work to tackle online bullying and raise awareness of what life is like when you have a learning disability. 

‘We are pleased to be working with him to help increase the visibility of people with a learning disability across the media and society to help transform attitudes and to do our bit to ensure that the UK is the best place in the world to live for people with a learning disability.

‘We look forward to unveiling our exciting plans with Harvey very soon.’

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, Katie made the announcement, with more details about how Harvey will be helping Mencap to change the lives of people with a learning disability in the UK to come.

There are 1.5 million people in the UK who have a learning disability, who are often not treated like equals and face stigma and discrimination every day of their lives.

People with a learning disability are seven times more likely to feel lonely, are twice as likely to be inactive and die on average two decades younger than the general population. 

Almost one in three young people with a learning disability spend less than one hour outside of their homes on a typical Saturday. 

People with a learning disability are also one group who has been hit hardest during the coronavirus pandemic. Seven in 10 have seen their social care support stopped at a time when they needed it most. 

Shockingly, people with a learning disability are dying with coronavirus at six times the rate of the general population.

Mencap is currently campaigning for all people with a learning disability to be prioritised for the vaccine and is calling on the Government to invest in the right support in the community so all people with a learning disability can get the support they need to lead independent and fulfilling lives. 

Katie Price: Harvey and Me was broadcast on BBC One on Monday 25th January and is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer.