Max Woosey’s efforts have provided 15 community nurses to the hospice he was raising money for (Picture: PA)
A 13-year-old boy has won a Guinness World Record after camping in his garden for three years.
Max Woosey – known as The Boy in the Tent – has raised £700,000 for his local hospice during the challenge after originally aiming for a target of £100.
His efforts provided the North Devon Hospice with 15 community nurses for an entire year, which is enough to help 500 patients get care in their own homes.
It is the largest sum ever raised from a camp-out and the teenager will spend his final stay outdoors tonight.
The 13-year-old battled chilly winters and summer heatwaves, foxes, slugs and snails – and was once even chased by a pheasant.
Max started sleeping in his garden on March 29, 2020, at the age of 10 after being inspired by a family friend Rick Abbott who died of cancer.
He gave Max a tent before his death and told him to ‘go have an adventure’.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
He raised £700,000 for North Devon Hospice and originally aimed for a target of £100 (Picture: PA)
Max is now the proud recipient of a Guinness World Record (Picture: PA)
It is the largest sum raised from a camp-out (Picture: Rachael Woosley/Guiness World Records/PA)
Rick had received care at the North Devon Hospice, so Max decided to fulfil a promise to his friend and thank the hospice for its work.
‘The North Devon Hospice took such good care of him I wanted to do something to say thank you to them,’ Max said.
‘I am so excited to have this Guinness World Records title, it is every boy’s dream. It is incredible to be part of this very special club.
‘I have had the best three years of my life. There have been some struggles, but it has been an amazing experience and I have loved it from day one.
This evening will be Max’s final night in the tent (Picture: PA)
‘I only set out to have an adventure and raise £100. I hope people see that children are capable of a lot more than people think.’
During the adventure Max shared a cup of tea with Boris Johnson, camped in Twickenham Stadium and was a zookeeper for the night at ZSL London Zoo.
The hospice said in a statement: ‘Among some other well-deserved accolades, Max is now a Guinness World Records title holder, and we could not be more proud.
‘The boy who first pitched his tent in March 2020 has grown into a very impressive young man, who has helped to change the lives of so many.’
