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Max Woosey spent three years sleeping in a tent, endured snowy storms and even being sick with Covid.
But in the process he collected R16,7 million for a hospice and set a new Guinness World Record for the most funds raised by an individual through camping.
The 13-year-old became know as the “Boy in the Tent” in March 2020, when he set up his tent in the garden of his home in Devon, England to raise funds for the hospice that took care of his friend.
Max, who was 10 at the time, was grief stricken by the loss of his friend and neighbour, Rick Abbot, who died of terminal cancer.
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Their friendship Max to raise funds for the North Devon Hospice that provided care for Rick.
“Before my neighbour died, he gave me a tent and told me to "have an adventure’,” Max shared with Guinness World Records.
“The North Devon Hospice took such good care of him I wanted to do something to say thank you to them."
The money raised will allow the hospice to provide 15 community nurses for an entire year to provide support for about 500 patients in their own homes, reports Guinness World Records.
Although living in a tent for three years provided plenty of challenges, Max’s enthusiasm kept him going.
“I have to go through about 15 tents as they only last about 10 weeks”, he says.
Although he faced stormy and snowy nights with his tent often collapsing on him, Max says he wouldn’t change a thing.
"I have had the best three years of my life. I have met some amazing people and had brilliant experiences. I don’t think I would change anything.”
When the campaign gained world popularity, Max had the opportunity to camp in different locations.
He got the chance to pitch his tent at the London Zoo and become a one-night zookeeper.
Max also camped in the garden of the iconic No 10 Downing Street in 2021 and met then prime minister Boris Johnson and his dog, Dilyn.
He only went home for his homeschooling lessons, dinner and showers.
Max calls it a “family effort” and is grateful for the support he received from relatives and friends.
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“I hope it makes people see that children are capable of a lot more than people think," Max says.
To celebrate achieving his goal, Max is hosting a camp-out festival in April near his home where fans can join him for an outdoor sleepover.
"There have been ups and downs, but I wanted to finish on a high, and hopefully there will be more adventures in the future," Max says.
Sources: GOODTHINGSGUY.COM, GUINNESSWORLDRECORDS.COM, BBC.COM, THEGUARDIAN.COM, SKYNEWS.COM
