'Tent boy' gifted new bed as record-breaking run comes to an end
A 13-year-old boy has been gifted a new bed after breaking a Guinness World Record for the most money raised by camping in aid of charity.
Max Woosey, from Braunton, Devon, was just 10-years-old when he ditched the comfort of his bed for a sleeping bag inside a tent.
The teenager started his campout after his neighbour Rick Abbot - who once gifted him a tent 'to have an adventure in' passed away from cancer in February 2020 - in a bid to raise money for North Devon Hospice, where Rick spent his final days.
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Max took to his garden and has camped every night for three years ever since, however, after his final campout tonight (1 April) he's set to swap his camping mat for a brand-new bed that he's been gifted by local furniture company, Barrow Clark.
Director of Barrow Clark, Rob Barrow, told ITV News that the family-run company has been 'following Max's adventures on the news' and couldn't 'help' but 'be inspired and applaud' him, knowing how 'reliant' North Devon Hospice is on 'local support, however big or small'.
He continued: "We felt that Max has been 'paying it forward' for some time now and it was time that he receives his own reward.
"So, we reached out and we are delighted to be able to bless Max with his own brand new, super comfy storage bed."
Max - who's raised a whopping £750,000 for North Devon Hospice and broken a Guinness World Record for the most money raised by camping - responded: "It was really cool to pick out my own brand-new bed. I’ve slept for over 1,000 nights on a camping mat, so it might take me a while to get used to a proper bed again, but I am looking forward to it.
"Thanks so much to Barrow Clark for thinking of me. I loved going round the showroom to try out all the beds and mattresses to find the right one.
"I know that my first night back in my bedroom will be a comfy one."
Chief Executive of North Devon Hospice, Stephen Roberts, added: "Max has been a true hospice hero and we will always be so grateful for all he has achieved. It is so lovely for Barrow Clark to offer this gift to him, as well as offering even more support to the hospice at the same time.
"Our message to everyone is that they can help Max go out with a bang, with a donation to his fundraising page to celebrate his final camp-out. Right now, North Devon Hospice is supporting more people than ever before.
"So, if we are to meet this demand and help everyone who needs our care, we need more wonderful support like this. "Providing dignity and comfort to local people in their final days, weeks and months is only possible with your support. Donate at [Just Giving Page]."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week
Topics: Charity, UK News, Guinness World Record, Money
Poppy Bilderbeck