The biggest adventure in Max Woosey’s life so far began with sad news. His neighbor and friend Rob had died of cancer. Before his death, Rob had given the boy a tent, with the words: “Have an adventure with it.” And that’s exactly what Max did. The 13-year-old has slept in the tent for the past three years.
And not just for fun, but for a good cause. Hospice in Woosey’s British home of North Devon had been looking after Rob for his friend’s final weeks. Max decided to honor his buddy and say thank you to the hospice by raising some donations for it. He could never have dreamed of the dimensions that would take on.
For three years Max did without the comfortable bed in his parents’ house and instead camped in the garden. This is how the teenager made it to national fame in Great Britain: He was even allowed to meet the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson and spend a night in the garden of No. Downing Street. 10 camping in London.
He is known online as “Boy In The Tent”. And don’t forget, over the three years, Woosey raised £700,000 for the hospice. According to the hospice, the jobs of 15 employees could be financed for one year from this. Among other things, Woosey was awarded the British Empire Medal for this.
“I love camping – and I will definitely miss it,” Woosey told the Guardian. After three years, it is now time to return to the house. Even if the 13-year-old knows: “It will feel strange for the first few nights.” After all, he used to spend the nights in a tent, no matter what the weather.
The heat wave last summer was the most difficult, explained Woosey: “I had Corona during that time. Honestly, it was terrible and the heat turned the tent into a greenhouse. It boiled and Corona actually made me feel sick enough. “
But the passionate camper fought his way through, he didn’t make any exceptions, no matter how tempting the situation was. When he was allowed to stay in a luxury hotel the night before an awards ceremony, he pitched his tent on the balcony. Only once in the past few years has Max Woosey allowed himself to be persuaded to do so, in a normal bed: on vacation with his family in Madeira. That was an agreement with his mother – but after two nights he was drawn outside again.
Sources: “Guardian” / Max Woosey on Instagram
