A 10-YEAR-old boy from the Yarrow Valley will complete a remarkable feat of endurance this Saturday - by spending his 365th successive night in a tent.

Braden Collins has astounded his friends and family by trading his cosy bedroom for a tent in the garden of his home at Dryhope on the eastern banks of St Mary’s Loch.

It all began on May 27 last year when his mum Claire celebrated her 44th birthday.

“We had quite a full house so Braden, who was nine at the time, and his older brother Eden thought it would be a good idea to pitch up their tent and camp out for the night in the garden,” recalled Claire.

“It was a lovely summer weather and Braden slept so well and enjoyed the experience so much that he said he wanted to do it again the next night.

“After a week, he told us he was determined to spend a whole year camping out. He thought that if he could achieve that goal, he could help raise some funds for Diabetes UK. It’s a cause close to his heart because his dad Paul is diabetic.

“Both Paul and I were naturally sceptical, but Braden has proved us wrong. Indeed, during his year, he has camped out all over the country.

“Last summer we visited my family in Cambridge and Paul’s family in Worcester and Braden camped out in their gardens. It was the same story at the New Year when we spent a week visiting relatives on the south coast.”

Claire described how Braden, a pupil at Yarrow School, had developed his own routine.

“Every bedtime, he goes out to his tent with his head torch, his hot water bottle, his toy dog Alan and his real dog – our young Border Terrier Maisie – who sleeps out with him.

“In the morning he comes in for his breakfast and gets ready for school.

“He seems to take it all in his stride and has never once said he didn’t want to camp out, even during the cold nights of winter.”

To mark Braden’s achievement – and Claire’s birthday – the family is holding a hog roast party at their home on Saturday night.

“We’re hoping friends will come along and camp out with Braden and Maisie. We will put out a donation bucket and anyone else wishing to donate can go to the Just Giving website and search for ‘Braden’s Campaversary’,” said Claire.

“Paul and I are so proud of Braden. It shows great strength of character to endure something like this for so long, without any complaints. In our eyes he’s a little superstar.”

Asked to recall some of his camping highlights, Braden told us: “One time, my tent blew down and I thought it was 7.30am so I went inside and started doing my homework. Then I realised it was only 3.30am.

“Another funny time was when I was camping at my uncle and auntie’s house in Southampton. My uncle got drunk and fell on top of my tent. Luckily I wasn’t in it, but mum and dad had to buy me a new tent.

“I really like camping and would like to raise money for Diabetes UK because my dad has diabetes and I wish he didn’t.”