Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Raptures as heroic amputee Tony, 5, crosses finish line
Boy completes 10k walk after raising £1.1m
The final steps of a charity walk which has captured the imagination of the nation were broadcast live this week.
Brave Tony Hudgell, who had to have his legs amputated after abuse by his Whitstable parents, completed his 10km challenge on Tuesday after raising more than £1million for the Evelina London Children’s Hospital. The five-year-old - who walks with the help of crutches and prosthetic legs - was cheered across the finish line by well-wishers who braved the rain to see him complete his fundraising mission.
His walk in Kings Hill was inspired by the exploits of Captain Tom Moore, who sent the youngster a video congratulating him on his achievement. Tony set out with the aim of walking 10km during June and in the process raised £500 for the hospital that saved his life as a baby.
His Justgiving page has raised almost £1.1m from almost 49,000 supporters, with off-line donations helping to boost that total. His adoptive mum Paula Hudgell said: “We could not be prouder or happier for him giving something back to this incredible hospital.
“We just can’t thank everybody enough for all the support, love and messages. It’s just been so wonderful for Tony, his walking has improved so much.” Caroline Gormley, director of fundraising at Evelina, said:
“We are so touched by the generosity of those giving money to support Tony’s incredible fundraising challenge.
“It has been truly inspiring following Tony’s journey and seeing his confidence grow as the month has gone on.” Tony suffered terrible abuse at the hands of his birth parents Jody Simpson and Antony Smith, who previously lived in Canterbury and Whitstable. The couple were both jailed for 10 years in 2018.