Spending a year and a day in a tent to raise funds for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (Burns Unit) & B.U.G.S (Burns Unit Group Support) Odstock Centre for burns, plastic & maxillofacial surgery .. Salisbury. B.U.G.S provide many supporting roles, one being to sponsor children and young adults to attend camps and outdoor pursuit events in aid to encourage and maintain healthy personal development through social interaction.

Hi, My name is Michael. I was severely burnt in a house fire when i was 4 years old. My older sister and younger brother also sustained horrific injuries. We were treated at the then Booth Hall Childrens Hospital, Manchester. (now Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital). The work of the staff was amazing and on every level. 

The hardest part and most difficult of times was not the countless operations and surgical procedures, but the growing up with severe burns. Humans cant help but treat something or someone who looks different harshly, and this resulted in many years of sustained bullying from name calling to physical attacks. As a family, we all went through this experience and as hard as it was to deal with. We had to learn to adopt coping strategies to overcome. basically we would make the excuses up for the behavior of others, and primarily, be honest with ourselves in order to do so. It is clear and from personal experience is a fact, that the years that follow do go towards personal healing on every level. emotionally, physically and psychologically. so i openly encourage and support networks and organisations that are there to assist and enable young people to grow up and adapt to real life with their injuries and grow all the more stronger and able minded to live a life worth living.

How am I raising funds? ... 

After successful winter trials (and a few close calls) on the West Pennine Moors & Newbury West Berkshire. I've been practicing and getting to grips with camping out in all weathers. (Yes, I was in all the severe storms and floods that the UK suffered from this winter - end result, two sets of snapped poles and flooded out twice) I've pretty much got all the best equipment that's suited to my plans and from "officially" the 1st of March 2014, I will be camping out in a tent without TV, computer games, mains power supply. running water for "a-year-and-a-day" (fingers and toes crossed) to raise funds for the above named charities. 

I will have one other tent erected in order to store equipment and supplies. Also to house communications equipment and solar panels to power laptops, phones and cameras - supporters are welcome to Skype or call me to offer support at anytime. (within reason) .. Skype address .. ayearandadayinatent@hotmail.com (This is also the main email account for this project)

During the year-and-a-day camp out, I will be visiting schools and colleges throughout the UK. (by prior appointment) To give talks on growing up with scars and giving sound advice in fire prevention/safety as well as coping with bullying .. I'm a success story .. and i intend to show children and young adults that life goes on and a great life can be had ... and nothing should hold them back. ... it starts with strong healthy personal belief.