A 9-year-old boy, who lost his legs as a baby after his parents’ abuse and raised nearly £2m for Evelina Hospital, is the youngest person on record to be named on the New Year’s Honours List.
Tony Hudgell, from Kent, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the prevention of child abuse.
He is thought to be the youngest person ever to receive an honour of this kind.
When he was just a baby, Tony was rushed to Evelina London’s A&E department, after having been abused by his parents. His dad, who was jailed in 2018 along with his mum, had swung him around by the ankles causing irreparable damage.
The severe abuse Tony had suffered caused him to have both his legs amputated at just four years old.
With his little life hanging in the balance, the hospital team fought to save him – and in their care, he went from strength to strength.
Whilst learning to walk on his prosthetic legs, Tony decided to raise money for the people who were caring for him.
He set out to raise five hundred pounds by walking 10km on his new legs. Twelve kilometres and £1.8 million later, his efforts mean the hospital can help more children like him.
He also helped inspire a change in the law that raises prison sentences for those convicted of child cruelty and neglect.
The inspirational schoolboy co-founded the Tony Hudgell Foundation over two years ago – and continues to support other children in need of wheelchairs and vital equipment.
In addition, two members of the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust were also honoured on this year’s List: Professor Anthony David Edwards, MBE, Professor of Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine for services to Health Research and Moses Ayoola, BEM, Director, Estates and Facilities, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, for services to Leadership in the NHS.