More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Little Tony Hudgell, the youngster who survived horrific cruelty as a baby, is smiling in spades thanks to the amazing generosity of well-wishers.
Family trips to the beach have always been impossible due to the nature of the youngster's disabilities, inflicted on him when he was just 41 days old.
But having stolen the hearts of thousands of people with his incredible courage and determination, the four-year-old is now basking in the joy of having an all-terrain wheelchair courtesy of fund-raising efforts and donations.
Tony took the chair for its first spin on the beach at Camber Sands in East Sussex with his adoptive parents, Paula, 51, and Mark Hudgell, 54, as well as his youngest siblings, 12-year-old brother Jaden and sister Lacey, seven.
His glee in finally being beside the seaside was for all to see as he wheeled around on the sand and in the water.
He even got up close and personal with a few donkeys.
Mum Paula, from Kings Hill, said: "The last couple of years we have avoided all beaches and anything with rough terrain as his manual wheelchair is totally unsuitable.
"This has also been unfair for the other little ones as they have had to miss out too.
"Tony is so heavy that to carry him even short distances is impossible now. Obviously he can scoot along the floor but only so far as he gets tired.
"But this fantastic piece of kit is amazing. It glides over the sand and can go in water too.
"The big, white balloon wheels are for soft sand and it has other double wheels for rough terrain so we will also be able to go walking in the woods.
"Tony was so excited for the beach and totally loved it. His beaming smile said it all. He can either be pushed or self-propel and it has given him even more freedom.
"We were able to walk along the shore and had a wonderful time. It will last him into his teenage years too but we certainly won't be waiting that long before our next beach visit."
The Hippocampe all-terrain, amphibious wheelchair costs about £3,000 and boasts of being able to "go where wheelchairs, strollers and pushchairs can't", whether on sand, in the sea or forests, or on snow.
Supplied in the UK by Delichon Ltd, they suit disabled children and adults of all ages.
Paula added: "Although at £3,000 it's a lot of money, the enjoyment for all of us is worth every penny and we couldn't have purchased it without the generosity of fundraisers and well-wishers' donations.
"We really can't thank people enough for how they have helped Tony."
Tony has also been presented with a magnificent handtrike, in his chosen favourite colour of red glitter, courtesy of the City of London Police children's charity and Gloucester-based Tomcat Special Needs Innovations.
The officers announced its arrival at the family home with blue lights and sirens.
"I'm sure the neighbours thought we were being raided," joked Paula. "Tony couldn't believe it when they arrived and was so excited.
"We really are overwhelmed by everything people have done for us."
The youngster, affectionately known as Bear, suffered life-changing injuries, including 12 fractures, at the hands of his biological parents Jodie Simpson and Tony Smith just a few weeks after his birth in October 2014.
One fracture to a lower leg joint was so severe that it was consistent with the tot being swung by his ankle.
So horrendous was the cruelty the evil pair from Maidstone, subjected his tiny body to that he developed multiple organ failure and sepsis, and later had to have both his legs amputated at the knee.
Simpson, 25, and Smith, 48, were only brought to justice in February last year after Paula and Mark tirelessly pressed Kent Police and the CPS to prosecute.
They were both unanimously convicted of causing or allowing serious harm to a child, as well as child cruelty, and were each jailed at Maidstone Crown Court for 10 years - the maximum prison term for such offences.
Paula is now spearheading a campaign to increase judges' sentencing powers for such crimes and bring them into line with other violent offences which carry life terms.
According to latest available crime figures, the average prison sentence imposed in 2017/18 for child cruelty cases was just over two years.
The NSPCC also reported in December last year that 16,939 child cruelty and neglect offences were recorded by police in that same period, up from 7,965 in 2012/13.
Mum of eight Paula has enlisted the help of Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat and Tony's Law, as it will become commonly known, had its first reading in Parliament in February.
She said the latest child cruelty case of Alfie Lamb, the three-year-old crushed to death after being placed in the footwell of an Audi convertible by his mum Adrian Hoare, formerly from Gravesend, is yet another example of why tougher punishments are needed.
"She was sentenced to just two years in jail for child cruelty.
"That was on conviction by a jury, not a plea of guilty, and was also convicted of perverting the course of justice by making a false statement, and assault of another car passenger.
"Her duty as a parent is to protect her child above all else. But she never, and even lied to police about what had happened. Her sentence should have been much tougher.
"How can it be that those evil enough to intentionally inflict appalling abuse on children, or put their lives in danger by doing nothing to stop it from happening, face nothing greater than 10 years behind bars, and just 14 years if death is caused.
"No decent human being would think that is right. It certainly isn't justice."
Paula has now referred Hoare's sentence to the Attorney General as being 'unduly lenient'.
"Sadly, it's yet another case which highlights the urgent need for a change in the law," she said.
To find out more about Tony's Law and the family's efforts to fully adapt their home to suit his physical needs, click here or search Bears Journey on Facebook.
