Why Boy in Tent in London Zoo Pledges to Keep Sleeping Outdoors

An 11-year-old boy from Devon in England has been sleeping right beside the animal cages at the London Zoo and has no plans of quitting from the campout. Max Woosey, whom the press has dubbed as the "boy in tent" in March 2020, even told his parents that they should just rent out his bedroom because he will keep sleeping outdoors. 

Woosey initially started camping out just weeks following the first wave of the pandemic with the intention of raising funds for the North Devon Hospice center. His goal was to raise almost $700 million for the facility that took care of his friend and neighbor Rick Abbott, 70, who died of cancer in February 2020.

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After Abbott's death, the boy in tent led 1,000 other kids worldwide in the fundraising efforts and successfully achieved their goal. The money raised ensured that the hospice center will be able to sustain and support the medical workers who take care of the patients, especially during a global health crisis.

New Challenge to 'Boycott Your Bed'

After his charitable act, the Devon tweener has thrown his support for Action for Children's Boycott Your Bed to continue his sleepout. Now more than 400 days into his pledge of sleeping outdoors, Woosey told This Morning that he wants to help raise money for the vulnerable children affected by the pandemic.

Woosey said that he has not been sleeping in his bedroom for over a year and thought it would be brilliant to continue his pledge for another charity. The 11-year-old boy also encouraged other children to try and sleep in unusual places and join the campaign that will run nationally on Friday, July 9, and will be streamed online.  

The English lad picked the London Zoo for his next camping after serving as a zookeeper for the day. His mother told BBC that he's been living his dream to be around the animals and sleep next to the lion's cages. 

So, Why Camp Out?

The boy in tent admitted that he cried himself to sleep during his first night of camping because trying to raise money was an overwhelming experience. He was also soaking wet because it rained hard, and all of his gears were soaked. There were also nights during the camp out that he had battled ants and pheasants. The worst was when he braved the winter cold in January. 

But Woosey thought of camping out for Abbott's hospice center because Abbot gave him his first tent. The boy told This Morning that as long as the tent is up, the memory of his friend will live on. He described Abbott as one of the kindest people he has known in his young life. 

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Woosey said that he's sure Abbott would be happy to know that he's been helping out those in need. He also doesn't mind being called the boy in tent. 

"It makes me stand a little bit taller and it helps me get through the hard times," the boy said.