Janine
In an extraordinary display of dedication, 13-year-old Billy Thompson completed a year-long challenge of camping in his garden to raise funds for Emmaus Leeds, a charity supporting former rough sleepers.
Billy’s journey began when he received a teepee for his birthday last July and decided to use it to camp out for charity.
Initially, he aimed to spend 100 nights in his garden to raise £150 for Emmaus Leeds, but Billy’s determination and love for the outdoors led him to exceed his goal significantly. Four seasons and five tents later, he managed to raise more than £1,000 for the charity.
During this unique adventure, Billy faced various weather conditions, including sun, rain, and even snow. Despite the challenges, he remains resolute and has his sights set on breaking the record set by another young fundraiser who spent three years sleeping in a tent to support a different charity.
Billy’s mother, Sarah, expressed her amazement at his camping journey, highlighting that he often ventured out to his tent in his pajamas and sliders with just a single duvet and sleeping bag. She added: “He insisted on taking his brother’s Duke of Edinburgh Award tent when visiting his grandparents in South Wales, so that he kept up his camping out streak, likewise when going to a friends’ for a sleepover. When he started his adventure, he wasn’t aware of ‘the boy in the tent’ so now he is that’s appealed to his competitive streak!”
Gina Morrison, the Executive Lead of Emmaus, commended and said: “On behalf of everyone at Emmaus Leeds I would like to thank Billy for his fundraising efforts. It is a pleasure to see a young person taking time out to think about others and putting so much effort into raising money to help a charity. Well done Billy!”
The funds raised by Billy will go toward supporting individuals in the community who have experienced homelessness, poverty, and social exclusion.
Billy’s remarkable journey serves as a shining example of how one young person’s determination and love for the outdoors can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need.
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