A boy who raised over £400,000 by sleeping in his garden for a year finishes his epic camp out this weekend.
Max Woosey, 11, began camping in his garden on March 27 last year in memory his friend and neighbour, Rick, who sadly died from cancer in February 2019.
And he's inviting children all over the world to join him for a virtual camp out tonight to mark the momentous occasion.
Rick, who was 74, had given Max a tent and told him to have an adventure with it, so he decided to camp out in the garden of his family home in Braunton, Devon.
Now, Max has raised over £400,000 for charity and is encouraging people around the country to join him remotely for his last night.
Max said: "It’s amazing. Children in America, across Europe, in Asia and Australia, will get the chance to join in."
Max is raising money for North Devon Hospice, who cared for Rick in his final days.
And for one final fundraising push, Max will be hosting 'Max's Big Camp Out', a worldwide event which encourages children around the globe to take part.
His mum, Rachael Woosey said: "I have to stop and pinch myself to take in just how big this has become.
"Max started out with the intention of raising a few pounds for our local Hospice.
"But to mark a year in his tent he decided he’d like to raise awareness of children’s mental health during lockdown.
"He knows what it’s like to be isolated from friends, not to be able to play team sports and that sort of thing, so he’s doing this for all those children who have found lockdown, indeed the whole Covid crisis, so tough."
Max has recently received support from his own two inspirational heroes Bear Grylls and Jonny Wilkinson, who have sent him video messages of encouragement.
Max added: "I couldn’t believe it.
"I watch all Bear Grylls stuff on tv and I love rugby.
"I‘ve got a few books about Jonny Wilkinson and his autobiography in my tent, which I read when I’m not reading the Beano.
"It was epic that they both supported me, saying carry on kid, you can do it!’
Max has slept in a tent in his family’s back garden every single night - even over Christmas, on his birthday, and through winter storms.
His mum told the BBC that Max had been through seven tents in the last year, as they'd become damaged due to constant use and bad weather.
Max even said he'd cried himself to sleep some nights after realising all the things in his tent were wet through.
But despite the wet weather, Max's enthusiasm was never dampened for long.
His dad, Royal Marine Mark Woosey said: "I thought he meant just for a few days. I couldn’t believe it when he started camping out every night, for weeks on end.
"Max has been on an amazing journey. It has brought out both his empathy for others and his steely determination.
"What’s really great about Max’s Big Camp Out is that it gives children a chance to do something really positive, when all they have heard for months on end is you can’t do this, and you can’t do that."
Anyone who wishes to donate to Max's cause can still do so here.
