A boy from Braunton, Devon raised more than £500,000 (RM 2,853,854) for North Devon Hospice by sleeping in a tent. Max Woosey started his mission after his neighbor gave him the tent to ‘have an adventure in’.
The neighbors, Rick and Sue later died of cancer and were cared for by North Devon Hospice. He began his adventure on March 28 last year after hearing the cancellation of the hospice’s fundraising events.
“I’ve raised over half-a-million pounds now – it’s absolutely mad,” he said.
Currently, about 1,000 children, some from as far as America and Singapore, took part in a ‘big camp-out’, inspired by Max. Since then, people have been donating camping gear to him. One of them includes a sleeping bag that belonged to a soldier who died while serving in Afghanistan.
He said: “I just want to say thank you to all the people who have sponsored me and all the people that did Max’s big camp out.”
As a result of difficult weather conditions, Rachael said they had gone through about seven tents, some also donated by outdoor equipment companies.
“I couldn’t believe it when he started camping out every night, for weeks on end.” said his father, Mark Woosey.
The Royal Marine said the challenge had brought out Max’s ’empathy for others and his steely determination’.
The hospice’s chief executive, Steve Roberts praised the young boy for his impressive efforts. “Max is an absolute hospice hero and we’re all so proud of what he’s achieved,” said Roberts.
It is said that the money raised will help them to carry on caring for local people in their hour of need.
Source: BBC