12-year-old Max Woosey raises nearly £ 600,000 for a hospital and receives the British Empire Medal

In England, it is the surprise of the promotion of January 1, the New Year Honors List, the British equivalent of our Legion of Honor. Young Max Woosey, 12, from Braunton, southwest England, is decorated for raising money for his town hospital by sleeping outside in a tent for over a year and half. In total, 582,000 pounds sterling collected, or 682,000 euros, which allowed the North Devon Hospice to hire 19 nurses. The feat is impressive, it moved England and over the months made this boy a true model of determination.

In February 2020, Max’s neighbor Rick, 74, died of cancer. The two were very close, so the young boy followed his friend’s hospitalization, then his return home, to leave in peace, in his bed, a wish that the dedication of the caregivers made it possible to achieve. And it is precisely to thank the hospital staff that Max embarked on a fundraiser. A collection which took a rather special form since, before dying, his neighbor gave him his old camping tent: “He made me promise to have adventures with her, he explains, so this is what i do. “

At the end of March 2020, when England is surprised by the coronavirus, Max starts camping in his garden, he created an account on Twitter, another on Instagram, and opens his pot, which initially goes unnoticed. On social networks, he tells about the sound of the wind, the rain, the humidity, the visits of slugs, spiders, and even invasions of red ants. His parents try to get him in but nothing helps, Max stays outside.

And the case begins to gain momentum: the first donations arrive, and Max is invited to pitch his tent all over England, from London Zoo, to the garden at 10 Downing Street, the address of Prime Minister Boris. Johnson. After 640 nights spent outside, he is aiming for a million pounds in donation and repeats that it is not he who deserves the medal, but the caregivers: “They’re the ones who do all the work to help people, they’re the real heroes.“