An inspirational abuse survivor is to undergo “life-changing” surgery which will allow him to walk without crutches.

Tony Hudgell will have his left thigh bone taken out and replaced back to front.

It will be the nine-year-old’s 28th surgery and will hope to encourage the bone to grow as big as the right one, allowing him to walk on his prosthetics unaided.

The procedure would also involve weekly thigh alignments meaning constant pain and he will have a fixator cage on his leg for up to a year, leaving him in a wheelchair.

Adoptive mum Paula Hudgell from Kings Hill explained it was all Tony’s decision.

When speaking with the Mirror, the 56-year-old said: “Tony is very strong-willed and knows what he wants.

“It’s going to be very difficult and painful. But if it works, it will be life-changing. Tony is desperate to be able to run and this operation will give him that chance.”

Tony had both legs amputated at the knee aged four due to abuse he suffered at the hands of his birth parents as a baby.

Anthony Smith and Jody Simpson, were sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018 for the cruelty they inflicted on the youngster in their squalid Maidstone flat.

The pair, who later moved to Whitstable, were due for release in autumn 2022 but that decision was pushed back after then-Justice Secretary Dominic Raab referred the decision to the Parole Board on the grounds of public safety being at risk.

However, Simpson was released in February, to Mrs Hudgell’s dismay.

Tony and his adoptive parents have campaigned for harsher sentences for child cruelty offences with Tony’s Law now in effect as a result.

The family have also raised nearly £2 million for charity in sponsored walks and now they are calling on donations to help raise cash to rent a home for at least a month – ideally a year – near to the Sheffield Children’s Hospital where Tony’s surgery is booked.

The hospital is one of only two places in the world equipped to take this surgery on.

Paula posted on X (formerly Twitter) to say: “As many of you know Tony’s story you will appreciate how much this means to him.

“We have been lucky enough to find the only surgeon here to perform this complex operation.

“During this time we will need to stay in Sheffield for lengthy amounts of time as well as travelling back and forth.

“So we are fundraising to help with expenses and equipment needed.”

In the same tweet, Paula highlighted an Eventbrite page and a JustGiving page as the two ways to donate.

Proceeds from an online event next month, in which Paula and Tony will speak about his story, will also go to the fund.