It was the lack of technology and contact with friends he couldn't handle.

Dylan, 16, of Gymea, slept in a tent for 10 days in December last year, and ended up raising more than $500 for 10 charities.

His idea for a 'bed-out' was inspired by John Lennon and Yoko Ono's famous 1969 `bed-in', where they protested the Vietnam War by staying in bed for a week and talking about peace.

"It was boring,'' Dylan said.

"I couldn't do anything, I couldn't contact any of my friends, I couldn't watch TV.

"Being alone was probably the hardest thing.''

In the first month of the year, he already has plans for another charity effort.

He is growing his hair long to raise money for research into leukaemia.

His dedication to charity work began at the age of eight, when he took part in the MS read-a-thon after his mother, Anne Denis, was diagnosed with MS.

"I just like seeing people happy and helping them out a bit if I can,'' he said.

Dylan donated the proceeds of his bed-out to Sutherland Shire Disability Association, McGrath Foundation, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Beyond Blue, MS Society, Australian Red Cross, Surf Life Savers Australia, Cancer Council, Wildlife Warriors and Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.

Donations: 0417 278 877 or annied758@hotmail.com