A teenager who has been camping in his back garden for the past three years revealed that he once spent twenty minutes wrangling a lemur teddy away from Boris Johnson’s dog Dilyn.
Max Woosey, 13, from Braunton, Devon, who is finally going back indoors after raising thousands for the hospice which cared for his late friend – shared the funny throwback story on Good Morning Britain.
Max met with the former Prime Minister in 2021, in a special get-together which saw him put a tent up in the garden at 10 Downing Street.
However, the keen adventurer admitted he hadn’t realised that the politician had a dog – who took a special liking to a stuffed animal of his.
‘I remember running around the garden chasing him with his mouth on the tail,’ he today told Susanna Reid and Ed Balls.
The thirteen-year-old from Braunton, Devon shared the funny throwback story on Good Morning Britain
Max Woosey had met with the former Prime Minister in 2021, in a special get-together which saw him put a tent up at 10 Downing Street
The teen – who’s been sharing a tent with his own pup, Digby, since 2020 – joked that Dilyn had caused quite a few ‘difficulties’ as Max had spent nearly half an hour trying to wrestle the teddy away from him.
The Pride of Britain award winner started his outdoor adventure on March 29th 2020 – at the height of the first Covid lockdown – when the then ten-year-old retreated into his back garden with a one-person tent to raise money for the North Devon Hospital which looked after his friend Rick Abbott.
Dubbed ‘The Boy in the Tent’, he’s slept under canvas ever since – but will finally go back to his bedroom at the end of March, he told his 37,000 followers on Twitter this week.
Max is marking his amazing adventure – which has raised nearly £612,000 for charity via his JustGiving page – with, you guessed it, a camping festival.
The teenager, who has braved freezing temperatures in the middle of winter, and last year, the howling winds of Storm Eunice and Storm Francis, also admitted that he feels ‘weird’ about returning.
‘I think the three years was the right decision to come in,’ he told Good Morning Britain. ‘It’s been a brilliant three years.’
He added: ‘I think it’s gonna feel a bit weird coming back inside but…time has come to an end sadly. The next adventure’s waiting for me.’
Recalling the begging of his journey, Max also said his family was initially against the endeavour.
A teenager who has been camping in his back garden for the past three years revealed that he once spent twenty minutes wrangling a lemur teddy away from Boris Johnson’s dog Dilyn
The teen – who’s been sharing a tent with his own pup, Digby, since 2020 – joked that Dilyn had caused quite a few ‘difficulties’. Pictured aged 11 at ZSL London Zoo
Max, who has braved freezing temperatures in the middle of winter, and last year, the howling winds of Storm Eunice and Storm Francis, also admitted that he feels ‘weird’ about returning
‘I think the first morning was brilliant,’ he reflected, admitting he was only planning to do a fortnight or three weeks at most.
He continued: ‘I remember my parents finally let me in the tent after nagging on for ages ’cause originally they didn’t let me.
‘I remember waking up with the dog…it was just a brilliant feeling.’
In the tweet announcing his retreat back indoors, the teenager penned: ‘It’s a funny feeling that after nearly three years tomorrow marks the start of my last month under canvas. Mixed emotions.’
Via his social media, he revealed earlier this month that he’s planning a camping festival, which fans can buy tickets for, but is yet to reveal the dates or the location.
Last year, Max was forced to buy a new tent after the February 2022 gales – which grounded flights and saw winds of up to 50mph – broke his red and blue tent.
Tweeting from his @BoyInTheTent account at the time, Max penned: ‘Wind 1. Tent 0. New tent time!’
His supportive mum, Rachael Woosey, revealed to ITV News afterwards that the family had contemplated Max moving indoors but her determined son was unperturbed by Mother Nature – and he’s remained sleeping outdoors ever since.
She said of her son’s determination to even camp in inclement weather: ‘I gave him the option of either coming inside or sleeping out in it. Sadly he chose the broken tent!’
The fund-raising effort under the stars began after Max wanted to help raise money for the hospice that had allowed Rick to pass away peacefully at home.
The fund-raising effort under the stars began after Max wanted to help raise money for the hospice that had allowed Rick to pass away peacefully at home. Pictured at a chairty sleepover aged 11
Max has spent birthdays, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve sleeping in his tent. Pictured with his parents
Max’s friend was a keen adventurer, camper and outdoor sports enthusiast and shortly before dying he gave his tent over to Max and told him: ‘Promise me you’ll have your own adventures in it.’
Max has spent birthdays, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve sleeping in his tent and encouraged other children from across the world to camp out in their garden for Max’s Big Camp Out in 2021.
Celebrities including Bear Grylls and Carol Vorderman have supported the youngster in his efforts.
His JustGiving page reads: ‘My name is Max, I am 12 years old and I am raising money for the North Devon Hospice because they looked after our friend and enabled him to pass peacefully at home with those closest to him which was his final wish.
‘I have been camping out since 29th March 2020. My friend Rick gave me his tent before he died and made me promise to have an adventure so that’s what I’m doing.’
‘It will be great fun and they can choose to raise funds for their own chosen charity as well.’
In the New Year Honour’s list this year, he was awarded with the British Empire Medal for his fund-raising efforts.
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