Paddle-out protest sees 200 take to the water in Broad Haven
Award for Nicola Harteveld kept quiet to focus on charity work
MILFORD HAVEN campaigner Nicola Harteveld has been named one of the UK's Top 100 Most Influential People for 2024—an accolade she kept secret for months to avoid drawing attention away from her team's work.
The emotional award ceremony took place in Cardiff in March, but Harteveld, 44, only recently shared the news publicly. 'I didn't set out to influence—I set out to survive,' she said, dedicating the award to her daughter Megan, who died by suicide aged 14 after suffering cyberbullying.
'I'm still in disbelief,' Harteveld said as she accepted the award, 'but I accept this for Megan, and for everyone in our community who believes in kindness and hope.'
The honour recognises individuals who have made a significant difference in British society. Harteveld was recognised for her work with Megan's Starr Foundation, an anti-bullying charity she founded in memory of her daughter. The foundation has grown to become a leading grassroots voice on youth mental health in Wales.
Despite the national recognition, Harteveld said she didn't want the award to overshadow recent projects in her home county. 'We were busy opening The Dizzy Bear and our new support centre—that had to be the focus,' she said.
The Dizzy Bear, which opened earlier this year at Milford Waterfront, is more than just a café. Run as a social enterprise by the Megan's Starr Foundation, it combines food, fun, and a mental health mission. Alongside waffles and street food, the café offers youth training schemes and a safe, welcoming space for those in need. Every purchase helps fund the charity's free counselling and outreach services for vulnerable young people in Pembrokeshire.
'We're unBEARlievably proud of what we've built,' said a spokesperson for the café. 'This is about community, kindness, and giving young people a place to belong.'
Harteveld's journey from personal tragedy to public impact has inspired people across Wales. Since losing Megan in 2018, she has devoted more than 40 hours a week to the foundation. In 2023, she was named Volunteer of the Year at the Welsh Charity Awards.
The charity's motto—'Be kind'—comes from a note Megan wrote before her death, and has since sparked a movement in Pembrokeshire schools, encouraging empathy and mental health awareness.
From local coffee mornings to national talks, Harteveld has shared her story to highlight the dangers of bullying and the need for better support. 'No young person should feel they have no choice but to end their life,' she said.
Volunteers with Megan's Starr Foundation include those who've faced adversity themselves, offering peer mentorship and lived-experience counselling.
Organisers of the Top 100 Influential People list praised Harteveld's dedication, saying she had turned heartbreak into hope and was 'leading a quiet revolution' in youth mental health.
In Milford Haven, news of her award has been met with an outpouring of local pride. 'This may have my name on it,' Harteveld said, 'but it belongs to all of us—my team, our supporters, and of course Megan. We are just getting started.'
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My mum's had 15 babies and now wants ANOTHER one at 58 – it's reckless & selfish… and I'm terrified it could kill her
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She has spent her whole life feeling broody so I suppose it's no surprise that hasn't gone away. 'I told her 'you've been a wonderful mum as well as an amazing surrogate and I'm scared of losing you. Please don't sacrifice our family to give someone else one.' I'm the world's most prolific surrogate and want my 16th baby aged 58 - docs fear I could die this time but I'm not worried 'Mum told me she has unfinished business and she was sad when she didn't bond with the last surrogate family. It's her dream to have one more.' 'I replied: 'The price could be your life. This could kill you'. 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She said: 'The doctors decided to induce her because of her age and the risk of pre-eclampsia, rather than there being a pre-eclampsia developing, which Mum didn't agree with. 'Her body knows what it's doing. It was very difficult to watch my mum go through the pain of being induced, a caesarean and the recovery. 'She did admit that pregnancy did take more out of her than the previous ones because of her age. Advertisement 'Twelve years have passed since then and I think it's a lot later in life. 'It's going to be twice as hard as the last time and the risks to health during the labour are going to be higher. 'Having had two previous caesareans, it just increases the risk even more. It's a huge concern. 'Mum is my best friend. There is nothing she could ever do that would ever upset me enough to affect our relationship. 'As much as I have my personal views, ultimately I will support her through her decision and journey and be there for her. Advertisement 'I will go with her to the hospital even though I don't agree because I know what it means to her. 'I still believe people should be able to do what they want in life and be able to live how they want.' Last night Carole said: 'My daughter's feelings are very important to me, in fact they are everything. 'But I know my body and I'll be taking the best medical advice in the world to ensure my body can do this and see a pregnancy through. "I know my body but I won't let a couple down - so tests will confirm if this can go ahead. I'm confident I can do this.'
Daily Mirror
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- Daily Mirror
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