Kent amputee Tony Hudgell mentioned in Queen's Speech
15:41, 25 December 2020
updated: 15:48, 25 December 2020
A brave double-amputee from the county has appeared alongside Sir Thomas Moore in the Queen's Christmas Day message for his charity work.
Tony Hudgell, from West Malling, was pictured as Her Majesty addressed the nation in her usual 3pm BBC slot.
The Queen was reminiscing about the Good Samaritan parable when pictures of the youngster and many other charitable figures appeared on the screen.
She said: "In the United Kingdom and around the world people have risen magnificently to challenges and I'm so proud of this indomitable spirit. To our young people in particular I say thank you for the part you have played.
"This year we celebrated International nurses day on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.
"As with other pioneering nurses like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a light of hope across the world. Today our frontline services still shine a lamp for us.
"And we owe them a debt of gratitude. We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort even on the darkest nights there is hope in a new dawn.
"Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan - the man who is robbed and left at the road side is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture.
"This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today Good Samaritans have emerged across society, showing care and respect for all.
"Reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God. The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light as has the purpose we can find in coming together to worship."
In June the five-year-old raised more than £1million for the Evelina London Children's Hospital when he completed a 10km challenge in Kings Hill.
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 - who appeared alongside in the video - in the Covid-19 lockdown.
His adoptive mum Paul Hudgell said the family were "utterly beyond proud" and called the youngster a "national treasure".
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