Camping supremo Max ‘Boy in the Tent’ Woosey is set to take his fundraising efforts to a whole new level by pitching his tent at ZSL London Zoo next to the animals on Monday 5th July to raise money for vulnerable children across the UK.
Lending a helping hand to ZSL’s zookeepers, Max will become a ‘zookeeper by night’ helping to care for some of the Zoo’s 20,000 animals – carrying out duties such as preparing late night snacks for the Zoo’s two porcupines, scattering nuts and seeds for the gorillas to find in Gorilla Kingdom, and laying a scent trail for Sumatran tiger Asim to follow in his Tiger Territory home – before bedding down in his own tent, pitched next-door to the Zoo’s Land of the Lion enclosure at the London Zoo Lodges.
‘Zookeeper’ Max is asking the public to boycott their bed for Action for Children by joining families across the country on 9th July in a national sleep-out in the most unusual place they can think of – whether it’s camping out under the stars or under the stairs or bunking down in the bathroom or joining Nature Nights at the Zoo.
During his Zoo sleepover, Max will help the keepers care for his favourite species, the Madagascan ring-tailed lemurs. From a young age, Max has dreamt of visiting the animals so helping care for them at the Zoo will be a dream come true.
He says: “Having slept in my garden for 459 nights, I can’t wait to boycott my bed at London Zoo with all their incredible animals around me. It’s going to be fun and I can’t wait to hear them in the early hours – particularly the lions, who are my neighbours for the night. I’m hoping I will hear them roar loudly near my tent!”
“Although I can’t imagine ever sleeping in an actual bed again, I didn’t expect my adventure to take me to the Zoo. I hope that my night at ZSL London Zoo will inspire children and families across the country to join me to boycott their bed.”
The charity’s national sleep out night will take place on Friday 9th July when children and their families across the UK will spend the night in an unusual place, just like Max!
Dr Tim O’Neill, Action for Children’s managing director of children’s services, adds: “Having boycotted his own bed for over a year now, Max is the ultimate adventurer and we can’t wait to see what he gets up to through the night at the Zoo.
“We’re asking you to join Max and sign up to the sleep out on the 9th July to support children who have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
“Our services across the UK tell us that more families are facing financial hardship than ever before and vulnerable children are paying the price.”
Kathryn England, Chief Operating Officer at ZSL London Zoo said: “Pitching his tent next to ZSL London Zoo’s pride of Asiatic lions, right at the heart of the Zoo, is the perfect location for Max’s next adventure.
“We are so pleased to support Max as he continues to sleep in his tent, surrounded by nature; the morning wakeup call at ZSL London Zoo will sound a little different from his back garden though, as he’ll likely be woken up to the sounds of roaring lions, singing gibbons and honking flamingos!”
On 9th July, Action for Children will be hosting a virtual event, which connects everyone who registers with thousands of others who will be bedding down in unusual places across the UK.
The live night of entertainment and activities will see magician Dynamo casting his spell live from the studio. He’ll be joined a host of famous faces including Jess Hynes, Lydia Bright, Jake Quickenden, Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice and Luba Mushtuk, TV presenter Laura Hamilton, Angela Rippon and DJ Charlotte de Carle for a night in aid of Action for Children. Charity ambassadors Larry Lamb and Jenny Agutter are also backing the campaign.
Sign up for Boycott your Bed and the money you raise can make children’s dreams of a safe and happy childhood come true. Visit www.boycottyourbed.co.uk for more information.
