Max's Final Campout

After camping in his back garden for over 1,000 nights, and raising a staggering £700,000 for North Hospice, Max Woosey held a final camp-out celebration to end his phenomenal fundraising challenge. The Braunton schoolboy inspired people from around the world, when he made his decision to camp out in his garden in aid of his local hospice when the first Covid lockdown was announced. His courage and commitment led to donations pouring in from all corners, as people were keen to encourage this adventurous boy scout, who wanted to make a difference in tough times 

Stephen Roberts, Chief Executive at North Devon Hospice, said: “Max is a true hospice hero. The end of his camping fundraising challenge should be celebrated because his efforts have made such a tangible difference to the lives of so many.”

Stephen added, “At the heart of this story is the fact that Max was inspired by the care North Devon Hospice gave to his friend and neighbour, Rick, in his final days. When lockdown arrived soon after and the hospice’s services were under very real threat, Max wanted to make sure that other people in his community could have the same level of care Rick received. So, he took the tent that Rick had given him, and pitched it in his back garden, promising to camp out until lockdown was over and asking friends and family to sponsor him. What a journey he has been on since. What an impact he has had, essentially raising enough money to fund 15 hospice community nurses for a year.”

Max ended his fundraising challenge with a bang, by holding a special camp-out on April 1^st, which marked three years since he first pitched camp in his garden. The event was a mini-festival held at Broomhill Art Hotel and Sculpture Gardens, just a few miles from Max’s Braunton home. 

“It was an awesome way to end what has been an unbelievable journey,” added Stephen Roberts. “He deserved a real celebration and the camp-out at Broomhill was so much fun. It was lovely to be joined by other keen campers to enjoy some live music and celebrate what Max achieved in three years. He has genuinely been an inspiration to so many people around the world, particularly in the dark days of national lockdowns, so to be able to come together for one final celebration was just wonderful.”

Starting his challenge as a 10-year-old boy, Max’s sponsored camp-out soon caught the attention of the world, through news coverage and social media. Donations poured in, at a vital time for North Devon Hospice, who had seen almost all fundraising activities halted, due to Covid. Max has been recognised with a Pride of Britain Award, the Bear Grylls Chief Scout Unsung Hero Award, the British Empire Medal and he even delivered a Ted Talk in 2022 about his adventure.

But the most long-lasting impact will be on the lives of those who were cared for thanks to his efforts. North Devon Hospice was able to continue caring throughout lockdowns, in no small part thanks to Max Woosey.

Hannah Crawley, team lead on the hospice’s Bedded Unit, said: “We care for people in the toughest time of their lives. We hold them when they are facing an illness like cancer, and we support their whole family through that journey too. This kind of care was needed even more during the pandemic, which was especially frightening for our patients and their loved ones. Max’s amazing fundraising meant we could carry on being there for those who needed us. He helped to make dark times more bearable for hundreds of local people. We cannot thank him enough, and we loved celebrating his final camp-out with him.”