A British boy has slept in a tent for 200 nights to honor the promise he made to his deceased neighbor. The ten-year-old child raised over $50,000, and now he plans to continue until he reaches the 365th night sleeping in a tent.
Promise to the Deceased Neighbor
Shortly before Rick died, the neighbor gave his tent to Max Woosey and made the child promise him to have an adventure in it. In February, Rick died of cancer at the age of 74. Since then, Max has been sleeping outside using the tent Rick gifted him.
Max shared with the BBC about his epic sleep out, saying that it is the best way of "escaping" his parents. He said that he freaks out with the stormy weather while sometimes he says that he does not get scared.
The boy from Devon, England, has been pounded by the harsh weather regularly, so he had to buy a sturdier tent. And even though he has found an ant's nest under his groundsheet, Max is grateful because he could read his favorite comic "Beano" for as long as he wants.
To Initiate a Fundraiser
Shortly after Rick died, Max was inspired to sleep outdoors. He also learned that the pandemic had stopped the North Devon Hospice fundraising. It was the place that took care of Rick and his wife in their last days on earth.
Since Max's first night on March 28, his "JustGiving" page has raised $50,000 for the hospice. Now, he plans to continue until he reaches the 365th-day mark. Rachael Woosey, Max's mom, told "PEOPLE" that she hated it at first because she was so used to having her son close to her.
Mom Could Not Sleep at First
She explained that there were stormy nights that she did not sleep because she was too busy checking up on the tent. She is now past her "churlish stage" of threatening to burn Max's tent because she is already used to it.
Rachael also noted that they have already embraced it until her son does it for a year. She only said that the only problem they have is putting on a coat and shoes to say goodnight to her son.
At first, Rachael did not allow Max to sleep in the backyard, but her mind changed because they went into lockdown in March. She found no reason to say "no" because Max does not need to go to school.
She knew her son reads more than he is telling them, but what is essential to them is that Max is reading. The family is planning to upgrade Max's tent since it will soon be winter. Although Max is afraid of lightning, when it happens, he would count to four before he hears the thunder. It has made him think that he is far away, and he was not going to die.
