Double Amputee Tony Hudgell, 8, Climbs Lake District Summit For Charity

Meet Tony Hudgell, a young boy from Kings Hill in Kent who faced tough times but never gave up.

As a baby, He lost both legs due to parental abuse, leading to his birth parents' 10-year jail sentence in 2018.

Tony is "a complete whirlwind", according to his family ITV News

At just five years old, Tony walked an impressive 10km on his prosthetic legs, raising almost £2 million for the Evelina London Children's Hospital.

His amazing achievement earned him awards, and now he's ready for his next challenge, inspiring us all with his unstoppable spirit.

"After my climb at lockdown, I was like I want to do a mountain," Tony told ITV News.

Connecting with Cumbrian guide Steve Watts, Tony's family found the key to turning his dream into a tangible reality.

"Talk about endeavour, willpower. For an eight-year-old? Follow that," Watt told the BBC.

"How many more is he going to inspire?"

He continued: "It's not just about the money, it's the legacy."

Tony's climb up to the top of Orrest Head this week has raised £19,000 for the Tony Hudgell Foundation, Crohn's & Colitis UK, the Bendrigg Trust, and The Lake District Foundation.

Tony's adoptive mother Paula Hudgell said the climb "might have started something" ITV News

His initial target was £500, so he has absolutely smashed it out of the park for this fundraising effort.

His next target is England's highest peak, Scafell Pike.

"Apparently it is the highest mountain in England, so we will do it," he told ITV.

Eventually, he hopes to take on Mount Everest.

"Definitely, even though I will need a lot of oxygen. We will do it," he said of climbing the world's highest mountain.

Tony had many people there to support him and cheer him on throughout his descent up the mountain. That included mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington.

He said: "It is one heck of an Everest he is summating and I think he is such an impressive lad. I had heard a lot about him but I had never met him.

Hari Budha Magar, right, made mountaineering history in May ITV News

"Now having met him and seen him I am just so impressed. He is courageous and he is determined. He is also full of fun though and has a good smile on his face. What a fantastic young man."

Hari Budha Nagar became the first double above-the-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest in 2017. He was there today to support Tony.

Tony sees Hari as his hero, and the feeling is mutual.

Hari said: "For me he is my hero. He is the same as myself. He has a really strong character and what he does is amazing and we need more people like Tony."

Tony's adoptive mother, Paula Hudgell, told the BBC that seeing him reach the summit was incredible.

"Anybody who knows Tony knows that he is a complete whirlwind," she told the publication.

Tony was joined by veteran mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington and fellow double amputee Hari Budha Magar ITV News

The Tony Hudgell Foundation has been established as a charitable initiative in his honor. Dedicated to enhancing the well-being of children scarred by physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, the foundation stands as a beacon of hope and healing.

Tony's birth parents were jailed for ten years in 2018. He had been attacked at just 41 days old, which caused multiple fractures, blunt trauma to his face, organ failure, and sepsis.

In 2018 Tony and his family worked tirelessly to create stricter laws against child abusers. Their efforts led to "Tony's Law," part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Act 2022.

Paula Hudgell said reaching the summit of Orrest Head was "incredible" ITV News

Tony received a special Pride of Britain Award in 2020. Recently, he achieved another feat, raising support for the Tony Hudgell Foundation, Crohn's & Colitis UK, the Bendrigg Trust, and The Lake District Foundation.