{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"","standfirst":"","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAfter 13-year-old Leo snored his way into 2021, asleep on the garden hammock he got for Christmas, he saw an opportunity to both sleep and help people! \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFor an entire year, in all weathers, Leo slept outside in the hammock. In doing so, he was raising money for the free, confidential, 24/7, text messaging support service, Shout \u003C/span\u003E85258. \u003Cspan\u003EDuring his 365 nights outside in a hammock, Leo raised more than \u00A38,000 for Shout.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EChief Scout, Bear Grylls was so impressed, he named Leo as one of his Unsung Heroes.\u00A0\u003Cspan\u003EWe spoke to Leo to find out more. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/19655/20210327_161016min.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024,"altText":"Leo sat outside his tent, which has Shout\u0027s logo and the Fleur De Lis painted on the outside.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhat\u2019s your story, Leo?\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EI found it hard moving from primary to secondary school during the pandemic. Luckily, my family was there to support me. It made me think about people going through all these changes who didn\u0027t have the support I did. There was a lot going on during the pandemic, with the lockdowns and everything, a lot of people were struggling with their mental health. So, I decided to fundraise for Shout 85258 by sleeping in my new hammock, every night for a year. \u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhat a great idea! What are your favourite memories from your time in the hammock?\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe first night outside in the hammock was brilliant, I was so excited about the next 364 nights to come! I also loved the times when my friends and family stayed out with me. Something else I really got into was decorating my hammock for all the different celebrations during the year, such as Halloween and Christmas.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/19657/20210216_174309min.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024,"altText":"Leo sat outside his tent in the early evening in front of a cloudy sky. He\u0027s wearing his Scouts necker.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESleeping outside for a year can\u2019t have been easy. What difficulties did you face?\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt wasn\u2019t easy. I had a big problem with the wind and rain keeping me awake. It also got cold, as low as -5C. Thankfully, my parents made sure I had all the right gear. I wore thermals, a onesie and a hat. I had an underblanket and three sleeping bags to keep me warm too! I knew I was always safe; my parents were just moments away if I needed them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDid you ever feel like giving up?\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENo, I didn\u0027t want to give up because, if I did, I\u2019d have been so disappointed in myself for not completing my challenge. I thought about all the people my challenge will benefit, so that kept me going. I\u2019d recommend it to others; I did find the whole experience a challenge, but it was also lots of fun, too. Every night was different, and it can be done anywhere.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy did you choose Shout?\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI chose Shout because of the way they communicate. Unlike most mental health charities, who use phone calls, Shout is all about texts. I think texting is a much better, and more approachable way of talking, especially to people my age. It\u2019s so important to know help is just a text away.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESo, what\u2019s your next challenge?\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt was strange for me when I started sleeping inside again \u2013 it was just too quiet! I knew straight away that I needed a new focus. I love doing challenges that take me out of my comfort zone and help people by raising money. Next up I\u2019ll be cycling 470 miles to Scotland in the Easter holidays. After that I hope to walk the length of Hadrian\u0027s Wall.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeo, your family are so proud of you, and we think you\u2019re amazing. Good luck with your next set of incredible challenges, too!\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"25 January 2023","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Learn how to pitch a tent","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/houses-on-poles/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Meet our 2022 Unsung Heroes","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2022/september/bear-congratulates-his-unsung-heroes-at-birmingham-awards-day/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Nominate someone for the 2023 Unsung Heroes Awards","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2023/january/help-us-find-the-chief-scout-s-unsung-heroes-2023/","newWindow":true}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Beavers My Outdoors Challenge Award","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/beavers/awards/my-outdoors/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Cubs Our Outdoors Challenge Award","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/cubs/awards/our-outdoors/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Scouts Outdoor Challenge Award","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/scouts/awards/outdoor/","newWindow":true}],"id":39500,"nodeName":"Meet Leo, the hammock-based fundraiser","title":"Meet Leo, the hammock-based fundraiser","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/19655/20210327_161016min.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dab80be13c56f0","caption":"20210327 161016.Min","type":"jpg","size":1564938,"width":4032,"height":3024,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Meet Leo, the hammock-based fundraiser","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"During his 365 nights outside in a hammock, Leo raised more than \u00A38,000 for Shout.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC8zOTUwMCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2023/january/meet-leo-the-hammock-based-fundraiser/"}