Boy, five, whose legs were amputated after horrific abuse by his birth parents raises over £400,000 walking 10km on prosthetic legs after being inspired by Captain Tom Moore
- Tony Hudgell, five, set out to raise just £500 walking on his new prosthetic legs
- Double amputee had been brutally tortured by birth parents at five weeks old
- He now lives a happy and safe life with adoptive parents Paula and Mark Hudgell
- Was inspired by Tom Moore and has already walked 4km of his 10km target
A boy whose legs were amputated after being abused by his parents has raised over £400,000 walking 10K on his prosthetic legs.
Tony Hudgell, five, was rushed to hospital in 2014, when he was 41-days-old, with multiple organ failure, several fractures and even sepsis, after facing horrific abuse at the hands of his birth parents. His legs later had to be amputated.
When he was discharged from hospital at four months, he was put into the care of adoptive parents Paula and Mark Hudgell at their home in West Malling, Kent.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain today, his mother explained how he was inspired by World War Two veteran Captain Tom Moore, 100, who raised over £30 million for the NHS by walking laps of his garden.
Tony Hudgell, five, (pictured)whose legs were amputated after being abused by his parents has raised over £400,000 walking 10k on his prosthetic legs
World War Two veteran Captain Tom Moore, 100, raised over £30 million for the NHS by walking laps of his garden
Paula told: ‘We planned to walk every day of June. Today is the 11th and we’re already at 4K.
‘We are so proud, he’s getting faster and faster and people are cheering him on and he chats to them, and the messages and the support has been incredible.’
Speaking of his idol Tom, she went on: ‘When he saw him, he’s been following his progress, he said “He’s just like me, he has a walking frame”, and he then decided he wanted to walk with his crutches, which is a big progression.
‘We thought if we walk with him everyday, it will improve his walking and if we set up a little fundraising page, it will encourage him more because he has to do it.’
Appearing on Good Morning Britain today with his family (pictured), his mother explained he was inspired by Tom Moore’s walker
Tony used to wear short prosthetics – known as stubbies, which were covered with a Spider-Man design but became keen to join in with the activities of his peers
Tony is raising money for the Evelina Children’s Hospital in central London where he was treated as a baby.
Dad Paul explained: ‘He was taken into the Evelina at 41 days old. He was on life support and they basically saved his life, and this is an opportunity to say thank you.’
Despite aiming to raise just £500, Tony has already raised over £400,000 and was surprised with a video message from Tom’s daughter Hannah and her children on behalf of the veteran.
She said: ‘We wish you all the best on your 10km walk,we are so proud of you.’
Tony and his family were surprised with a video message from Tom’s daughter Hannah and her children (pictured) on behalf of the veteran
Despite aiming to raise just £500, Tony has already raised over £400,000 which will be donated to the Evelina Children’s Hospital
Tony used to wear short prosthetics – known as stubbies, which were covered with a Spider-Man designs, but became keen to join in with the activities of his peers.
Paula earlier this year spoke on the massive effect Tony’s brand new legs would have on him.
‘Since then we’ve now got these new legs for Tony. He had been using ones before that just weren’t working that well, said Paula.
‘These are his new ones. He’s got on trainers just like his big brother.’
Mother-of-eight Paula has been working with her MP Tom Tugendhat who will present her petition to the House of Commons on January 8, hoping to change the law in Tony’s name.