# Fundraisers become youngest honours recipients

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/01/04/fundraisers-become-youngest-honours-recipients/
- Published: 2022-01-04T10:46:57+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Two fundraisers have become the youngest honours recipients on record in this 
year’s New Year’s Honours List.**

Tobias Weller, AKA Captain Tobias, is the youngest at 11, joined by Max Woosey, 
AKA The Boy in the Tent, who is 12. Both have received the British Empire Medal (
BEM) for their fundraising work.

> I have been awarded a British Empire Medal (a bit like a baby MBE) and I’m on 
> the New Year’s Honours List.
> I am the youngest recipient on record of any Medal
> of the British Empire and, therefore, to have an honour from The Queen. I’m…guess
> what…you got it…chuffed to bits!!! [pic.twitter.com/dhYZyXR3Xv](https://t.co/dhYZyXR3Xv)
> 
> ## Advertisement
> 
>  [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/)
> — Tobias’s Marathon Challenges (@CaptainTobias9) [December 31, 2021](https://twitter.com/CaptainTobias9/status/1477046645946986499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Captain Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, received his nickname after he
was inspired by [Captain Tom](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/04/16/captain-tom-breaks-records-fundraisers-raise-millions-on-justgiving-for-covid-19-causes/)
to fundraise during the lockdowns. He has since raised over £157,000 for his school
Paces School, and The Children’s Hospital Charity, which is in his home town of 
Sheffield.

Tobias completed his third challenge in September, which involved a year-long Ironman,
involving 180km on his trike, a 4km swim and running the length of a full marathon.
The money raised for The Children’s Hospital Charity has funded a two-year position
for an Exercise and Physical Activity Therapist at the Ryegate Centre at Sheffield
Children’s.

Commenting, John Armstrong, Chief Executive Officer at The Children’s Hospital Charity
said:

> “Tobias’ remarkable determination and spirit in completing his three lockdown 
> challenges has captured the hearts and inspired people not only in Sheffield, 
> but across the country and around the world. The incredible total raised has helped
> fund a new role at Ryegate to help more children pursue their dreams every day.
> Thank you Tobias and if we can borrow your catchphrase, we’re chuffed to bits!”

> Still can’t quite believe it! [#iamhonoured](https://twitter.com/hashtag/iamhonoured?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [https://t.co/TOmYTpcPjS](https://t.co/TOmYTpcPjS)
> — The Boy In The Tent (@TheBoyInTheTent) [December 31, 2021](https://twitter.com/TheBoyInTheTent/status/1477055728741408771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Max Woosey from Devon has slept out in a tent every night since March 2020 – over
600 nights ­– raising [some £700,000](https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/max-woosey1)
in that time for North Devon Hospice. Originally given a tent by neighbour and family
friend Rick Abbott, Max was inspired to fundraise for the hospice due to the care
it gave Rick when he was terminally ill with cancer.

Max has also inspired other children to camp out and fundraise with his Max’s Big
Camp Out. This took place on Saturday 27 March 2021, marking a year of his own camp
out, and raised over £600,000.

 * **[New discussion forum for solo or lone fundraisers](https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/11/17/new-discussion-forum-solo-or-lone-fundraisers/)**(
   17 November 2004)
 * **[New group for solo fundraisers in Scotland](https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/11/18/new-group-solo-fundraisers-scotland/)**(
   18 November 2004)
 * **[Spare a Thought for Sole Fundraisers](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/09/07/spare-thought-sole-fundraisers/)**(
   7 September 2009)