More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A schoolboy who lost both legs after suffering abuse as a newborn is aiming to walk 10k in June to raise cash for charity.
Inspired by the fund-raising efforts of Captain Tom Moore, Discovery School pupil Tony Hudgell is taking to the streets around his Kings Hill home to support Evelina London Children's Hospital.
Staff at the hospital helped to save the five-year-old's life after he suffered horrific abuse at the hands of his biological parents.
Young Tony who started primary school in September, captured the nation's hearts as devastating details emerged of the suffering he endured at the hands of his birth parents.
Jody Simpson and Antony Smith's abuse resulted in him having to have both legs amputated and left him fighting for his life when just 41 days old.
The Maidstone couple were both eventually jailed for 10 years in 2018 and have had subsequent attempts to slash their sentences rejected by the courts.
Tony now has a loving home with his parents Paula and Mark Hudgell, who adopted him and launched a campaign calling for tougher sentences for those who inflict abuse on children. A petition has been presented in parliament but they are waiting to hear when their campaign can be continued when parliamentary business gets back to normal.
Tony still has to attend regular appointments at the hospital and is making his new family proud and drawing support from well-wishers as he takes to the pavement each day from his Victoria Drive home.
So far he has already raised more than £3,000 - and with plenty of walking still to come it is hoped that total will keep growing.
Proud mum Paula Hudgell, 52, said: "We are a bit taken aback, lots of people have been coming out to support him. It's lovely.
"He saw Captain Tom on TV, and he was still using a walking frame at the time, and when he saw Captain Tom's frame he said 'I can do that'.
"He has been spurred on by the support and the donations, and it has made an incredible difference to his walking."
Tony, who can get about thanks to crutches and prosthetics, is aiming to walk between 300m and 500m each day this month to reach his target.
To donate to Tony's fundraising effort visit the Just Giving page
