Tony Hudgell, who had his legs amputated after suffering horrific abuse at the hands of his birth parents, showed bravery as he emerged from hip and thigh surgery with a smile on his face yesterday.
The nine-year-old, from Kent, who has met the Princess of Wales several times, has had prosthetic legs since he was a toddler and gets around on crutches – but is undergoing surgery which will enable him to be much more mobile into their teenage years and adulthood.
The operation can only take place in two parts of the world, and luckily one of them is the Children’s Hospital in Sheffield, according to Tony’s JustGiving page.
Tony’s adoptive mother, Paula Hudgell, stepped up x to update her followers after her son’s surgery, admitting that while he was under the knife, ‘every minute felt like an hour’.
Despite the painful process, the Pride of Britain award winner appeared in high spirits as he smiled for the camera in his hospital bed. Paula praised the ‘incredible’ staff with the update on Tony’s condition.
Tony Hudgell looked cheerful as he smiled at his mum Paul Hudgell after his thigh operation
On Wednesday, Paula wrote: ‘Tony went down to the theater just after nine this morning. So heartbreaking and just want my little boy back with us.
‘Thanks for all the well wishes and pray it’s not too much longer as every minute feels like an hour #myhero.’
Paula shared a slideshow of photographs of Tony along with the emotional words.
She later took to the platform to update her followers after Tony’s surgery. She said: ‘Tony is now on the ward and changed into the @wellcoolclothing pajamas kindly sent to him which are perfect.
‘He is still in a lot of pain but never ceases to amaze me with his bravery. Fernandez and his incredible team have been amazing and forever grateful.’
The operations, which will take place throughout the year, aim to restructure Tony’s femur, according to a JustGiving page set up to help Tony.
After the operation, the nine-year-old will be treated as an outpatient and have weekly appointments in Sheffield.
Donors have set up a JustGiving page to help Paula and her husband, Mark Hudgell, with the costs.
The mum-of-seven shared a selection of photographs of Tony on X as she waited for him to emerge from surgery
Tony’s biological parents, Anthony Smith, 47, and Jody Simpson, 24, were each jailed for ten years in 2018 for the torture they inflicted on their 41-day-old son in 2014, which left him with injuries including broken fingers and toes and demolished. ligament.
Despite suffering such unspeakable abuse in the earliest days of his life, little Tony has grown up to be a kind and determined boy who has raised around £2 million for charity by walking great distances his crutches.
Tony has previously been hailed as a hero by Prince William and wife Kate for his extraordinary fundraising walks to help vulnerable children.
He set out to raise £500 for the hospital that saved his life by walking 10km in 30 days in 2020 after being inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised more than £33m to walk in his backyard.
In 2021, a foundation set up in his name to improve the lives of children who have suffered physical, emotional or psychological abuse gave more than 700 Christmas gifts to young people in need, and the tradition continued last Christmas.
The nine-year-old’s phenomenal fundraising achievements come despite an incredibly tough start to life which saw him undergo 23 operations and eight blood transfusions.
The horrific abuse he suffered by his birth parents caused serious injuries – and the infant also developed sepsis because Smith and Simpson waited 10 days before taking him to hospital.
His fortunes turned after his life was saved by specialists at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, of which the Princess of Wales is an official patron.
Then, in 2016, he finally found a loving home with Paula and Mark, who have campaigned tirelessly in Tony’s interests since welcoming him into the family – including a bid for Tony’s Law, which introduced tougher penalties for child abuse.
They have also encouraged his fundraising efforts to help other children – which have seen him rub shoulders with very famous figures.
After completing his big walk, Tony met the Prince and Princess of Wales, who ‘took ages’ to chat to the youngster when the pair attended the Together At Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey last year.
In December, Tony and his mother Paula met the Princess of Wales for the second time at the day center at Westminster Hospital.
Despite previously meeting Kate at the princess’ 2021 carol concert at Westminster Abbey and again at the day center in Westminster, Tony appeared coy as he agreed with his mother that the Princess of Wales is ‘beautiful’
Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales and Prince George of Wales send Christmas letters ahead of the ‘Together At Christmas’ Carol service at Westminster Abbey
Prince George appeared to send a Christmas letter to a ‘Tony’ before entering Westminster Abbey
He has also met Prince Harry along with a host of celebrities and earlier this year was singled out for his inspiration by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Despite the attention, Paula said of Tony: ‘He takes it all in his stride, so to speak. He is just amazing.
‘He is very much a human being. He can capture a room of people and will talk to them all.’
In December, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis sent letters to Tony at their mother’s annual Christmas service.
To donate to the family’s fundraiser, click here.