Tony Hudgell, 9, who was abused so badly by his birth parents he had both legs amputated, arrives out of lifechanging thigh surgery which may allow him to walk soon
Tony Hudgell, who had his legs amputated after suffering horrific abuse at the hands of his biological parents, put on a brave display as he emerged from his 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 prosthetics on his lower legs since childhood and uses crutches – but is undergoing surgery that will allow him to be much healthier. mobile in his teens 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, liked it X to update her followers after her son’s surgery and admitted 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 good spirits as he smiled for the camera in the hospital bed. Paula praised the ‘incredible’ staff with the update on Tony’s condition.
Tony Hudgell looked in good spirits as he smiled at his mother, Paul Hudgell, after his thigh surgery
On Wednesday, Paula wrote: ‘Tony went to the theater just after nine this morning. So heartbreaking and I just want my son back with us.
“Thank you for all the well wishes and pray it won’t be too long because every minute feels like an hour #myhero.”
Paula shared a slideshow of photos of Tony, along with the emotional words.
She later took to the platform to update her followers following Tony’s surgery. She said: “Tony is now on the ward and has put on the @wellcoolclothing pajamas that were kindly sent to him which are perfect.
‘He is still in a lot of pain, but he continues to amaze me with his courage. Mr. Fernandez and his incredible team have been wonderful and eternally grateful.”
The operations, which will take place throughout the year, are intended 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 has weekly appointments in Sheffield.
Donors have set up a JustGiving page to help Paula and her husband, Mark Hudgell, with costs.
The mother-of-seven shared a selection of photos of Tony on X as she waited for him to come out of the operating room
Tony’s biological parents, Anthony Smith, 47, and Jody Simpson, 24, were jailed for 10 years each 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 torn fingers. ligaments.
Despite suffering such unspeakable abuse in the early days of his life, little Tony has grown into a kind and determined boy who has raised around £2 million for charity by walking great distances on his crutches.
Tony has previously been hailed as a hero by Prince William and his wife Kate during his extraordinary fundraising walks to help vulnerable children.
He wanted to raise £500 for the hospital that saved his life in 2020 by walking 10km in 30 days, after taking inspiration from Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised more than £33 million while walking in his back garden.
In 2021, a foundation established in his name to improve the lives of children affected by physical, emotional or psychological abuse provided more than 700 Christmas presents to young people in need, and the tradition continued last Christmas.
The nine-year-old’s phenomenal fundraising achievements come despite an incredibly difficult start to his life, which led to him undergoing 23 operations and eight blood transfusions.
The horrific abuse he was subjected to by his biological parents caused serious injuries – and the child also developed blood poisoning because Smith and Simpson waited ten days before taking him to hospital.
His fortunes turned around 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 for Tony’s interests since welcoming him to the family – including a bid for Tony’s Law, which introduced tougher penalties for child abuse.
They also encouraged his fundraising efforts to help other children, which brought him into contact with very famous figures.
After completing his big walk, Tony met the Prince and Princess of Wales who were chatting to the youngster for ‘ages’ as the couple 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 having previously met Kate at the Princess’s Christmas Carol Concert at Westminster Abbey in 2021, and again at the Day Center in Westminster, Tony seemed shy 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 post Christmas letters for 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 string of celebrities, and earlier this year he was singled out by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his inspiration.
Despite the attention Paula said of Tony: ‘He takes it all in stride, so to speak. He’s just great.
‘He’s a real people person. He can take up a room of people and talk to them all.”
In December, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis posted letters to Tony during their mother’s annual Christmas service.
Click to donate to the family’s fundraiser here.