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Tony Hudgell completes epic charity walk after raising more than £1m for Evelina London Children's Hospital

The final steps of a charity walk which has captured the imagination of the nation were broadcast live online this afternoon.

Brave double-amputee Tony Hudgell completed his 10km challenge in Kings Hill earlier after raising more than £1million for the Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The moment Tony Hudgell completed his charity walk in Kings Hill. Picture: Just Giving / YouTube (37552974)
The moment Tony Hudgell completed his charity walk in Kings Hill. Picture: Just Giving / YouTube (37552974)

The Discovery School pupil - who walks with the help of crutches and prosthetic legs - was cheered across the finish line by well-wishers who braved the rain to see him complete his fundraising mission.

His walk was inspired by the exploits of Captain Tom Moore earlier in the Covid-19 lockdown.

He set out with the aim of walking a little way each day in June, hoping to get to the 10km point by the end of the month and in the process raise £500 for the hospital that saved his life as a baby.

The five-year-old smashed that target, and as the total kept climbing he gained the support of people right across the country.

In becoming a national sensation the little lad received words of encouragement from former Prime Minister David Cameron, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the footballing heroes of his team Chelsea.

KMTV reports on Tony's incredible achievement

So far his JustGiving page has raised almost £1.1m from almost 49,000 supporters, with gift aid and offline donations helping to boost that total even further.

His adoptive mum Paula Hudgell said: "We could not be prouder or happier for him giving something back to this incredible hospital.

"We just can't thank everybody enough for all the support, love and messages. It's just been so wonderful for Tony, his walking has improved so much."

Caroline Gormley, associate director of fundraising at Evelina London, said: "We are so touched by the generosity of those giving money to support Tony's incredible fundraising challenge.

"It has been truly inspiring following Tony's journey and seeing his confidence grow as the month has gone on."

Tony Hudgell on an electronic billboard in London's Piccadilly Circus. Picture: David Tett
Tony Hudgell on an electronic billboard in London's Piccadilly Circus. Picture: David Tett

Tony was left without his legs after suffering terrible abuse at the hands of his birth parents Jody Simpson and Antony Smith.

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.

Read more: All the latest news from Malling

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

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