11-year-old Max Woosey to ‘boycott his bed’ at ZSL London Zoo

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 bring hope to vulnerable children in the UK hit hardest by the pandemic to make the dream of a safe and happy childhood come true. Visit www.boycottyourbed.co.uk  for more information.

For interview requests and more information please contact Emma Marshall on 07875 399995 or email [email protected]  Out of hours: 07802 806 679 / [email protected]

• Action for Children protects and supports vulnerable children and young people by providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. With 476 services in communities across the UK, the charity helps more than 387,000 children, teenagers, parents and carers a year. actionforchildren.org.uk

• ZSL (Zoological Society of London) is an international conservation charity working to create a world where wildlife thrives. From investigating the health threats facing animals to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, ZSL is committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. Our work is realised through our ground-breaking science, our field conservation around the world and engaging millions of people through our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. For more information, visit www.zsl.org.

• ZSL London Zoo Lodges. Comprising nine colourful cabins in the heart of the Zoo, the ZSL London Zoo Lodges offers a unique overnight experience at ZSL London Zoo. Dedicated hosts will guide guests around the Zoo on exclusive evening and morning tours, sharing their insider tips on spotting species and fascinating facts about some of the Zoo’s 30,000 residents. Sleeping within roaring distance of the pride of majestic Asiatic lions, guests will be treated to an evening meal and breakfast, and each private lodge comes fully equipped with home comforts, including cosy beds and an en-suite. Children must be five years old and over.