Before a boy’s friend passed away from terminal cancer, he left his pal a token of their friendship — a tent. The ‘Boy in the Tent’ slept there every night for three years trading camping adventures for a better initiative.
Devon, United Kingdom (29 March, 2023) — How can a tent change the world? According to Max Woosey, one night’s rest at a time. Although it didn’t begin quite that simply for the ‘Boy in the Tent’.
Back in 2020, Max’s friend and neighbour Rick Abbot passed away from terminal cancer. 10-year-old Max was grief-stricken, but still had something from his friend to hold onto—a simple gift dedicated to their friendship.
“Before my neighbour died of cancer, he gave me a tent and told me to ‘have an adventure’,” — Max, per Guinness World Records.
However, little did Max know then that this instruction would go on to break world records.
Max slept in the tent every night for three years and aptly became known as ‘The Boy in the Tent’. His effort wasn’t just the pursuit of enjoying the outdoors, either. Max made it his mission to give back to the hospice that had taken care of Rick right until the end.
“The North Devon Hospice took such good care of him I wanted to do something to say thank you to them.” —Max, per Guinness World Records.
His tent unequivocally put the ‘camp’ in campaign. Together the two would brave fierce weather, adventure to new outdoor locations and ultimately, raise over R16.7 million (£750,000) for the Hospice!
Although the initial tent would be replaced after it collapsed, the heart of it all never did. And, many other tents would also step in to help the cause, thanks to various campout events.
According to Max, it’s been the best adventure of his life. Now, he holds the World Record for the most money raised by camping (as an individual).
Now, at 13 years old, the journey is coming to an end for The Boy in the Tent. When asked about the end of the garden path, he shares:
“I hope it makes people see that children are capable of a lot more than people think.”— Max, per the BBC.