Tony Hudgell, 9, who was so badly abused by his biological parents that both of his legs had to be amputated, will soon be able to realize his dream of running thanks to ‘life-changing’ surgery
Tony Hudgell, who had his legs amputated after suffering horrific abuse at the hands of his parents, may soon be able to walk unaided and realize his dream of running as he undergoes ‘life-changing’ surgery.
The nine-year-old boy from Kent has had prosthetic legs and crutches since he was a toddler, but his adoptive mother says this could change everything for him.
Paula Hudgell, 56, who adopted her son in 2016, revealed in an interview that her son Tony has insisted on having the operation, which will be his 28th, despite what will be an incredibly painful recovery process.
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.
Nine-year-old Tony Hudgell, who was so brutally abused by his biological parents that both of his legs had to be amputated, can soon realize his lifelong dream of running as he prepares for ‘life-changing’ surgery
Speaking to the Mirror, Paula revealed that Tony will soon undergo surgery that will allow him to walk on his prosthesis without having to use his crutches – but it will be a difficult time with a long recovery process.
She explained that the surgery involves removing his left femur and replacing it backwards, encouraging it to become the same length as his right femur, causing his legs to rise.
However, as he recovers from the surgery, he will have a cage on his left leg for a year, requiring him to use a wheelchair.
He will also have to return to the hospital every week to have his thigh realigned, which is likely to be extremely painful for the nine-year-old.
Tony, pictured with his adoptive mother Paula, 56, insists he wants to have the operation despite a ‘painful’ and long recovery period
Tony, who was just a baby when the attack took place (pictured), suffered broken bones, torn ligaments and blood poisoning before medics made the choice to amputate his seriously injured legs.
Paula Hudgell (pictured with Tony) campaigned for Tony’s law, which is named after her adopted son. The law increased the sentences given to child molesters
Paula said: ‘It will be very difficult and painful. But if it works, it will be life-changing. Tony desperately wants to run and this operation will give him that chance.”
The operation is currently scheduled for January at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, about 150 miles away from his home in southeast England.
As such, Paula, her husband Mark and Tony are raising money for the family to rent a house near the hospital for up to a year while the nine-year-old recovers.
Tony was previously hailed as a hero by Prince William and his wife Kate for 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.
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.”
Click to donate to the family’s fundraiser here