Boy, 9, becomes youngest ever person to receive a New Year Honour

A nine-year-old boy has become the youngest-ever recipient of a New Year Honour. 

Tony Hudgell – a patient at  Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS trust – was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to the prevention of child abuse.

Tony, who now lives in Kent, was taken to Evelina Children’s Hospital, in Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, when he was just six weeks old.

He had severe injuries inflicted by his birth parents, which resulted in multiple fractures and dislocations.

When Tony was four years old, he had to have both his legs amputated. 

Less than a year later, in 2020, he was learning to walk on his prosthetic legs and decided to try and raise £500 for Evelina London Children’s Charity by walking 10km.

Tony’s challenge captured the hearts and minds of the public and he smashed his fundraising target – raising more than £1.3million for hospital staff, including those who care for victims of child abuse.

In total, he has now raised more than £1.8million for the charity which supports the hospital to deliver care for its young patients and their families.

Pictured top: Tony with the Princess of Wales opening Evelina London Children’s Day Surgery Unit (Picture: David Tett)