Mower man Claude Harvey collects his 1 millionth dollar for Bravehearts

ICONIC mower man Claude Harvey has spent 17 years pushing his trusty cutter around Australia for charity but the violence he’s faced, including having a gun held to his head, will shock you.

Claude Harvey, the mower man.

THE country’s most famous “mower man” will receive the acclaim he so richly deserves today — which is a damn sight better than the reception he’s sometimes had in 17 years of pushing his trusty, customised cutter around Australia.

“I’ve been punched in the head, I’ve been verbally and physically abused, I’ve had a gun held to my head – and it’s all been worth it,” said Claude Harvey, the 70-year-old who will today raise his one millionth dollar for child protection organisation Bravehearts.

Claude Harvey takes his fundraising to Tasmania.

“The gun was in a little town called Cherbourg where a bloke told me if I came back, he’d shoot my brains out.”

And did he go back?

“I did,” the grandfather of six laughed.

“He tried to intimidate the wrong person. I got a better reception the second time. The mayor even came out to me.”

Claude, who lives at Varsity Lakes, did his first push for charity in 2000, a return trip from the Tweed to Hope Island for the Gold Coast Project for Homeless Youth.

A man for all seasons.

Since then, he has covered more than 25,000km from Hobart to far north Queensland, worn out 83 pairs of his trademark sandals and raised more money than he ever thought possible.

“It’s overwhelming,” he said of the million-dollar milestone. “The thought of all the children I’ve helped in this country brings tears to my eyes.”

Claude has been one of Bravehearts’ most passionate supporters since 2006, partly inspired by the bravery of two family friends disclosing they had been sexually assaulted.

Among his memorable moments was pushing his faithful old mower across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Claude Harvey with then mayor Ron Clarke. Photo: Glenn Hampson

Then there are the special friendships his adventures allowed him to form.

“I’d like to pay tribute to Ron Clarke,” Claude said of the late mayor. “He’d walk with me for 6-10km every year. He did it six or seven times while he was mayor.”

Bravehearts founder and chair Hetty Johnston described her friend as a “national living treasure”.

“It’s not every day you see a grandfather pushing a lawnmower through the main street of town,” she said.

“Claude’s passion to help Bravehearts create child-safe communities is incredible ... and we are forever grateful.”

Claude Harvey receives a community award. Photo: Kate Czerny

“But it’s not just about raising money,” Claude said as he took a well-earned lunch break at Surfers Paradise yesterday.

“It’s about raising awareness of child sexual assault.

“The first time I did this, I never even thought what people would think of me.

“People will say stuff about you in life even if you sit around all day and do nothing, so you may as well be out there doing something.”