Boy of 5 with new legs raises £370k for his life-savers
DOUBLE amputee Tony Hudgell received a message of support from NHS hero Captain Sir Tom Moore for his charity walk.
Five-year-old Tony has pledged to walk every day this month for the children’s hospital that saved his life – and so far he has raised an incredible £370,000.
The plucky youngster had both his legs removed at just 41 days old after horrific abuse from his birth parents, who are now in jail.
The youngster also suffered multiple organ failure and sepsis which left him on life support at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital in November 2014.
Now, having been fitted earlier this year with his first pair of artificial legs, he is embarking on a 10km (six mile) fundraising walk.
The video message from centenarian Sir Tom came via the pensioner’s family.
Sir Tom raised £33million for NHS Charities Together in April by using his walking frame to lap his garden. He was knighted in honour of his efforts. His daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her children, Georgia and Benji, said: “Hello Tony. On behalf of Captain Tom and the entire family, we wish you all the best.We are so proud of you.”
Tony’s mum, Paula, 52, said from the family home in Kings Hill, Kent: “Tony has been trying so hard with his crutches and it’s gruelling for him. But then he saw Captain Tom on the news and said ‘Look, he’s like me!’
“He is such a bright, determined and confident boy that him wanting to do something like this doesn’t surprise me.”
Tony came into the foster care of Paula and her husband Mark, 55, while recovering from his injuries in hospital. He was later adopted by the couple.
Paula said: “I can never repay the doctors, nurses and staff at the Evelina for what they did in those early days and continue to do as part of Tony’s ongoing treatment.
“As well as having both legs amputated at the knee in 2017, Tony still suffers from a left hip dislocation and missing ball joint due to infection and is deaf in his right ear – as a result of the abuse.
“The Evelina has become a second home for him and the staff are like family.
“This will be a huge achievement and he’ll need every bit of encouragement along the way.”
To sponsor Tony’s 10km walk, go to: justgiving.com/fundraising/ tonys-10k-walk