A brave nine-year-old boy who had both his legs amputated after suffering horrendous abuse as a baby has been invited to the King’s garden party at Buckingham Palace this week.
Tony Hudgell inspired the nation after raising £2 million for charity in 2020 at the age of five. As a thanks to the doctors who saved his life at the Evelina Children’s hospital, Hudgell embarked on a 10km walk on his prosthetic legs, far exceeding his initial target to raise £500,000.
Paula Hudgell, Tony’s adoptive mother, announced the youngster was ‘over the moon’ to have received an invitation from King Charles to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Paula said: “Tony is over the moon and excited to have been invited by The King to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace this Wednesday - let's hop[e] the sun is shining.”
The message was shared alongside a photo of a cheerful Tony, proudly holding up his invitation for his thousands of followers online to see. It comes as the nine-year-old – who lost both his legs after suffering horrific abuse as a baby – had complex surgery to help him use his prosthetics without crutches.
Tony’s birth parents Anthony Smith, then 46, and Jody Simpson, 24, had abused him so badly that by six weeks old he had multiple fractures to his limbs. The evil pair failed to seek immediate medical help, instead waiting 10 days, by which time Tony had developed multiple organ failure and septicemia. Staff at Evelina London Children’s Hospital saved the tot’s life, but he had to have both legs amputated at the knee when he was four.
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Tony Hudgell pictured with his adoptive mum Paula (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)
The double amputee underwent a “life-changing” operation in MarchTony’s operation on March 14 was performed at Sheffield Children’s Hospital – one of only two places in the world equipped to do it. Paula and husband Mark, who have eight other kids, will have to make a 400-mile round trip from home in Kings Hill, Kent, every week so surgeons can realign Tony’s thigh.
The schoolboy will have a frame called a fixator cage attached to his limb for up to a year, meaning he will need a wheelchair. The gruelling procedure also involves realigning his thigh bone weekly, leaving him in constant pain. Just days after the operation, brave Tony already managed to stand and walk a few steps.
At just 5 years old, Tony raised £2 million for charity (PA)
Just days after the operation, brave Tony already managed to standDespite the horrific abuse he suffered, Tony has gone on to achieve incredible things as an avid fundraiser, and the recipient of the Pride of Britain Award and UK Points of Light award.
His invitation to see the King won't be his first encounter with a member of the royal family, as the youngster has previously been hailed a hero by Prince William and Kate Middleton over his extraordinary fundraising walks, and has even met the pair, who 'spent ages' chatting with him at the Together At Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey last year.
In December, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis posted letters to Tony at their mother's annual Christmas service. As well as the opportunity to meet the King Charles and other members of the Royal Family at the garden party, the 9-year-old can also expect to mingle with fellow guests, explore the Palace grounds, and enjoy delicious tea and cakes.
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