The boy who came in from the cold! Teen, 13, who began camping in his back garden THREE years ago to raise money during lockdown reveals he’s finally going back to his bedroom
- Max Woosey, 13, spent his first night under canvas during lockdown in 2020
- He’s raised nearly £610,000 via his JustGiving page for North Devon Hospice
- Read more: I was diagnosed with cancer at 20 but still make $80,000 a year on OnlyFans – men say they ‘love’ my bald head
A teenager who began camping in his back garden in 2020 to raise money for a local hospice after the death of a close friend has revealed he’s finally going back indoors – after three years of sleeping under the stars.
Max Woosey, 13, from Braunton, Devon started his outdoor adventure on March 29th 2020 – at the height of the first Covid lockdown – when the then ten-year-old retreated into his back garden with a one-person tent to raise money for the North Devon Hospital which looked after his friend Rick Abbott.
Dubbed ‘The Boy in the Tent’, he’s slept under canvas ever since – but will finally go back to his bedroom at the end of March, he told his 37,000 followers on Twitter this week.
Max is marking his amazing adventure – which has raised nearly £610,000 for charity via his JustGiving page – with, you guessed it, a camping festival.
The teenager, who has braved freezing temperatures in the middle of winter, and last year, the howling winds of Storm Eunice and Storm Francis, said he had ‘mixed emotions’ about returning to a bricks and mortar bedroom.
Bidding farewell to the great outdoors: Max Woosey, now 13, from Braunston, Devon has celebrated three birthdays under canvas in his back garden – but has announced he’s coming back inside after three years
He told his followers: ‘It’s a funny feeling that after nearly 3 years tomorrow marks the start of my last month under canvas. Mixed emotions.’
Via his Twitter account, he revealed earlier this month that he’s planning a camping festival, which fans can buy tickets for, but is yet to reveal the dates or the location.
Last year, Max was forced to buy a new tent after the February 2022 gales – which grounded flights and saw winds of up to 50mph – broke his red and blue tent.
Tweeting from his @BoyInTheTent account at the time, Max penned: ‘Wind 1. Tent 0. New tent time!’
Boy, you’ve grown! Max pictured in 2020, when he first decided to camp outdoors to try and raise money for a local hospice after losing a friend to cancer
The schoolboy, now 13, will mark the end of his adventure outdoors with, you guessed it, a camping festival
His supportive mum, Rachael Woosey, revealed to ITV News afterwards that the family had contemplated Max moving indoors but her determined son was unperturbed by Mother Nature – and he’s remained sleeping outdoors ever since.
She said of her son’s determination to even camp in inclement weather: ‘I gave him the option of either coming inside or sleeping out in it. Sadly he chose the broken tent!’
A younger Max during his first night sleeping in his tent on March 29th 2020 – given to him by his late friend Rick Abbot
One year in: The youngster has seen a host of celebrities applauding his money-raising efforts including Carol Vorderman and Bear Grylls
Max has raised the money for The North Devon Hospice, who cared for his late neighbour Rick (pictured) before he died
New tent: Max was forced to ditch his blue and red tent after it was broken by the strong winds of Storm Eunice and Storm Francis in February 2022
The family pet has even ventured outside to sleep alongside Max on his epic camping adventure
The fund-raising effort under the stars began after Max wanted to help raise money for the hospice that had allowed Mr Abbott to pass away peacefully at home.
Max’s friend was a keen adventurer, camper and outdoor sports enthusiast and shortly before dying he gave his tent over to Max and told him: ‘Promise me you’ll have your own adventures in it.’
Max has spent birthdays, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve sleeping in his tent and encouraged other children from across the world to camp out in their garden for Max’s Big Camp Out in 2021.
Celebrities including Bear Grylls and Carol Vorderman have supported the youngster in his efforts.
In the New Year Honour’s list in 2022, he was awarded with the British Empire Medal for his efforts
His JustGiving page reads: ‘My name is Max, I am 12 years old and I am raising money for the North Devon Hospice because they looked after our friend and enabled him to pass peacefully at home with those closest to him which was his final wish.
‘I have been camping out since 29th March 2020. My friend Rick gave me his tent before he died and made me promise to have an adventure so that’s what I’m doing.’
‘It will be great fun and they can choose to raise funds for their own chosen charity as well.’
In the New Year Honour’s list this year, he was awarded with the British Empire Medal for his fund-raising efforts.
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