Braunton tent boy to sleep with lions

Strong fence is in the way

A North Devon boy who has spent more than a year sleeping out in his garden for charity and pitched his tent at London Zoo for another fundraiser.

Max Woosey, 11, will spend Monday night under the stars and next to the lions to raise money for vulnerable children on behalf of Action for Children.
 
Max will help care for some of the zoo’s 20,000 animals too, carrying out duties such as preparing late night snacks for two porcupines, scattering nuts and seeds for gorillas and laying a scent trail for Sumatran tiger Asim to follow. During his zoo sleepover, Max will help keepers of his favourite species, Madagascan ring-tailed lemurs. 

He's taking a teddy lemur for company too.

‘Zookeeper’ Max is also other people to boycott their bed for Action for Children on 9 July in a national sleep-out in the most unusual place they can think of.

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."

Max with be laying near lion (courtesy: London Zoo/Action for Children)

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 9 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.” 

Sign up for Boycott your Bed at:  www.boycottyourbed.co.uk