Guinness World Record for boy in tent

Accolade as Max Woosey prepares to come indoors

As he approaches his final days under canvass Boy in the Tent Max Woosey has been told he is now a Guinness World Record holder.

The honour is for raising the most money by camping out.

Over the three years he has been sleeping outdoors, the now-13-year-old has raised £700,000 for the North Devon Hospice.

He first pitched his tent on 29 March 2020 having had it donated by his friend and neighbour Rick Abbot who died of cancer and had been cared for by the hospice.

Max’s family supported Mr Abbot in his final months and were in awe of the care he received at North Devon Hospice.
 
He will pack-up his tent after this weekend’s ‘Max’s Final Camp Out Festival’ and head back to his bedroom.
 
Max said: “The North Devon Hospice took such good care of him I wanted to do something to say thank you to them."

Max Woosey received the British Empire Medal in 2022 (image courtesy: Devon County Council) 

Stephen Roberts, chief executive of North Devon Hospice, said: “Often, it’s only when people see our care first-hand that they truly understand how much it means.
 
"The Woosey family saw the level of care and support we were able to give Rick, to help him stay at home where he wanted to be, and to live his final days in comfort without pain. This sowed the seed of Max’s amazing adventure."
 
The money raised has allowed the hospice to provide 15 hospice community nurses for an entire year who would support over 500 patients in their own homes, helping them face the impact of an illness like cancer.
 
The adventure has seen Max grow from a little boy to a young man with some epic experiences along the way, from being Zookeeper for the night at London Zoo, camping in Twickenham Stadium and even sharing a cuppa with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his dog Dilyn.
 
Of his latest accolade 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. 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.’
 
The North Devon Hospice said, ‘Amongst 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.’

Max Woosey spent a night at London Zoo (image courtesy: London Zoo)