11-year-old inspires global camp-out and raises over half a million dollars

After one year camping out, Max Woosey called on others to join his worthy cause.

Over a year ago, 11-year-old Max Woosey from Devon, in the UK, was given a tent to “have an adventure in.” Sadly, the neighbor, Rick Abbott, who gifted the tent, died not long afterward from cancer. In memory of his kindness Max decided to make it a year long adventure in order to raise money for charity.

Starting just after the first lockdown, the youngster slept for one year in his tent, through rain and shine. It wasn’t always easy. In fact he shared with the BBC that he sometimes went off to sleep in tears because all of his equipment was drenched.

The adventurer actually went through seven tents during his long camp-out. People donated much-needed equipment to keep him as dry as possible, and he received encouragement and motivation from individuals like famous adventurer Bear Grylls.

In his year of tent sleeping, Woosey has amassed over half a million dollars in donations that will go to the North Devon Hospice, whose staff cared for Abbott before he died in February 2020. Woosey has also encouraged other youngsters to be more adventurous.

The Woosey family says that Max’s invitation for others to join him for a “Big Camp-Out” resulted in over 1,000 youngsters joining in from across the globe. They received messages of support and pictures of other kids tucked up in their outdoor beds. While some popped up a tent in their backyards, others set up camp from the safety of their homes. One family of five — and their dogs! — camped out for a third time to support Max and his cause.

“After such a bizarre year, having little adventures like this has been great fun and it felt lovely [that] so many were joining and raising money for a great cause,” shared mom Camilla Parish.

Max’s family were justifiably delighted with the results of the fundraiser, as well as the resilience of Max. Yet the year-long camp-out proved a little emotional for Max’s mom, Rachael, who shared: “Last night I lay in bed in tears because it hit me. It’s just so overwhelming.”

Hopefully Max will now be enjoying a good night’s sleep in the comfort of his snuggly bed. And perhaps Abbott is smiling from heaven at the big adventure his young neighbor made in honor of him.