A nine-year-old double amputee is among the people recognised by King Charles III in the New Year Honours list.

Tony Hudgell, from West Malling, is the co-founder of the Tony Hudgell Foundation which helps enhance the lives of children who have been affected by physical, emotional, or psychological abuse.

So far Tony, who endured his life-changing injuries at only six weeks old, has raised £1.8 million to support children in difficult circumstances.

He has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of his services to the prevention of child abuse.

Paula Hudgell, who adopted Tony, says they have both been “blown away” by the award.

“He never ceases to amaze us with his zest for life,” she said. “The award leaves such a legacy for him and shows what is possible although he is only nine years old.

“The nation has been so kind. They are always singing his praises and helping him on the way.”

Broadcaster James Whale, who is known for his work on talkRADIO, LBC, talkSPORT and ITV, has also been acknowledged.

In 2020 the Maidstone Radio DJ revealed he’d been diagnosed with cancer, 20 years after having a kidney removed due to a tumour.

He has been recognised with an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his services to broadcasting and to charity.

Alison Fotheringham, from Edenbridge, has also been named in this year's awards.

The 46-year-old has received an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) medal for her charity work for Diabetes UK and her work as a public servant.

The Appeals and Litigation Assistant Director who works at the Home Office, in London, has lived with Type 1 diabetes since the age of nine.

Sufferers of the disease have high levels of glucose in their blood as their bodies do not produce enough of the hormone called insulin, or the insulin it makes doesn’t work properly.

Without careful management, it can lead to devastating complications including sight loss, amputation, kidney failure and stroke.

However, Alison says the disease is the reason for her being “tenacious and resilient” as well as why she has been honoured with an MBE.

“This honour is not just for me but for all those being challenged by diabetes every day,” she added.

Alison started volunteering for Diabetes UK when she was 18 years old, helping with Family Care weekend events in Scotland, before moving to work on the week-long care event camps for children aged 7 to 11 years.

She then took over the running of the Abernethy camp in Scotland for several years.

Despite being posted overseas with her job for 11 years she began to fundraise for the charity and continued to raise money after her return to the UK in 2016.

“In 2018, I ran the hottest London Marathon on record for Diabetes UK,” she said, “but had a pretty miserable time after suffering a hypo - when my blood glucose levels dropped low - at mile four.

“I was taken off course at mile five by medics and then needed an hour of treatment. I went on to complete the marathon, raising over £4,500.”

Alison ran a second London marathon in 2019, without incident and raising a further £3,500.

In 2020, she joined the Diabetes UK team as a Run Ambassador, supporting people at running events with a focus on the London Marathon which she called a “proud achievement”.

She added: “I love supporting other runners and supporting my charity along the way.

“I am known to be the loudest person at the Diabetes UK cheerpoint at Tower Bridge before moving to the Big Ben cheerpoint where I am even louder.

“Through Diabetes UK I have met some of the best friends ever and we have a lovely group of type 1 diabetics, with a few honorary members, where we support each other through the ups and downs of diabetes.

“I would love to see a cure but am realistic that may not happen in my lifetime, although all the research really interests me and I am grateful to Diabetes UK for the funding they provide for research. It is a relentless condition and one you have to think about 24/7.”

Jill Steaton, South East Coast and London head of Diabetes UK, thanked Alison for her fundraising and volunteer work.

She said: “We all want to send congratulations to Alison on this well-deserved honour and thank her once again for all the help she has given Diabetes UK over the years.”

Meanwhile, an experienced investigator has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to policing and victims, following a 47-year career.

Kevin Macey, from the joint Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, has spent much of his working life at Essex Police, but when Kent Police and Essex Police set up the joint Serious Crime Directorate in 2011, he took on the role of reviewing both forces’ major crime cases.

Mr Macey said news of the award came as a “complete surprise, followed by pride”, that he was still able to deliver something that others felt was worthwhile.

During his career, the former detective superintendent, and Head of Specialist Investigations, has dealt with more than 50 murders and attempted murders, together with a multitude of other serious and high-profile investigations.

These include the conviction of Mark Brown for the murders of Kent mother Alexandra Morgan and Leah Ware, from Sussex, the cold case investigation into double-murderer and necrophiliac David Fuller, and the conviction of Callum Wheeler for the murder of Kent Police PCSO Julia James.

Mr Macey, who is a PIP4 or strategic investigator and continues to support and develop new senior staff and younger detectives, added: “Serious crime investigations can be hugely testing but there are fewer greater rewards than the gratitude of victims, or their families, for what we do, as police officers and staff, to mitigate harm and bring people to justice.

“Each case is interesting because of the victims, their families, and the people you work with - helping them to be the best they can be.”

Other people nominated include:

ORDER OF THE BATH

Companions of the Order of the Bath (CB)

Brendan Threlfall, the CBE director general of the Union and Windsor Framework, Cabinet Office, for public service. (Canterbury)

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Michael Jary, The lately lead non-executive director for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, for public service. (Tunbridge Wells)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Tiffany Beck, the chair of trustees at Maritime Academy Trust for services to education. (Gravesend)

Dr Nicholas Merriman, the chief executive of The Horniman Museum and Gardens for services to the arts and to heritage. (Ashford)

Maddie Hinch, a British field hockey player who previously played in goal for Holcombe Hockey Club. (Chatham)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Joan Cocking, the chair of governors at Kent College Canterbury for services to education. (Canterbury)

Robert Coles, lately intelligence officer for the Home Office for services to border security. (Kent)

Margaret Cosin, lately Member for Dover District Council for political and public service. (Deal)

Daniel Croft, chief executive office for Key Assets Europe for services to fostering. (Whitstable)

Elizabeth Hall, the founder of The Hygiene Bank, for services to tackling hygiene poverty. (Sevenoaks)

Martyn Hillier, the founder of the Micropub Association, for services to business and to hospitality. (Herne Bay)

Michael Kettle, explosives officer for the Metropolitan Police Service for services to bomb disposal. (Kent)

Christopher Middleton, operational delivery deputy director for the Home Office for public and voluntary service. (Canterbury)

Catherine Skidmore, head of Aviation Resilience, Department for Transport for services to major event responses. (Maidstone)

Carly Whyborn, director for Refugees at Home for services to refugees. (Rusthall)

Gareth Williams, detective superintendent for the British Transport Police for services to policing. (Gravesend)

Tom Bosworth, a two-time Olympic racewalker affiliated with Tonbridge Athletics Club for a number of years. (Tonbridge)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Stephen Elsden, the chief executive for Compaid Trust for services to charity and to people with disabilities. (Tunbridge Wells)

Patricia Gaywood, the membership secretary at The Forty Club, for voluntary service to cricket. (Longfield)

Tracy Hawkins, the assistant secretary for the Special Air Service Regimental Association for charitable services. (Dartford)

Patricia Roberts, lately assistant district commissioner for North Kent Cubs for services to young people in Kent. (Sevenoaks)

David Snook, a reading volunteer from Hampton Primary School in Herne Bay, for services to education. (Whitstable)

Robert Taylor for services to the community in Shipbourne. (Tonbridge)