Get behind Tony Hudgell, 5, who has raised £360,000 (so far) for hospital that saved his life

A five-year-old patient of Evelina London Children’s Hospital has raised over £360,000 – and counting – for the hospital that saved him.

Tony Hudgell, from West Malling in Kent has taken on the challenge of walking 10k over the month of June on his new prosthetic legs, having had both legs amputated when in 2017.

His family set an initial target of £500 but have been overwhelmed by the support for Tony they’ve seen since he started his walk just over a week ago.

Tony suffered horrific injuries as a baby which led him to being treated at Evelina London Children’s Hospital. As a result of these injuries, he had to have both of his legs amputated in 2017.

Having received his first pair of prosthetic legs earlier this year, Tony has challenge himself to walk 10 kilometres throughout June to raise money for Evelina London.

Parents Paula and Mark Hudgell, who adopted Tony when he was a baby, couldn’t be more proud.

Paula, 52, said: “Despite having a terrible start in life, Tony is such a bright, loving and determined boy. The courage he shows every day is a constant source of inspiration.”

The family want to thank the hospital who have cared for Tony since he was a baby. Paula said: “Evelina London is like a second home for Tony and the staff are like family.

“We are so happy to be able to pay back some of the gratitude we feel towards those who’ve looked out for Tony over the years.”

Tony has spent much of the coronavirus lockdown period learning to walk on his prosthetic legs with the aid of crutches. Though it’s been hard, he found inspiration from fellow fundraiser Captain Tom Moore, who raised more than £32m for the NHS.

Mother-of-eight Paula said: “Tony has been trying so hard with his crutches and it’s gruelling for him. But then he saw Captain Tom on the news and said ‘Look, he’s like me’. That’s when we came up with the idea to raise money for Evelina London.”

Caroline Gormley, Associate Director of Fundraising at Evelina London, said: “We can’t thank Tony and his family enough for their incredible fundraising efforts and have been astonished at the kindness of all those that have donated so far.

“Tony is such an inspiration. The money raised through his sheer determination will go towards helping so many other children at Evelina London. We are so proud he is part of our family.”

Initially the Hudgell’s set a fundraising target of £500. Now the sky’s the limit for Tony and the money he’s raising. Paula said: “We have been absolutely blown away by the support. We are all just so thankful to everyone who has donated so far.”

To donate to Tony’s fundraising walk, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tonys-10k-walk