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Kings Hill's Tony Hudgell to walk 100 steps unaided in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore

09:23, 20 April 2021

updated: 09:25, 20 April 2021

Tony Hudgell is set to walk 100 steps without his crutches in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore.

The six-year-old, from Kings Hill, has only ever walked up to six steps unaided before, but is taking on the daunting challenge to raise cash for the children's hospital where he was treated after suffering horrific abuse at the hands of his biological parents.

Tony Hudgell on his 10km walk for a children's hospital Picture: David Tett
Tony Hudgell on his 10km walk for a children's hospital Picture: David Tett

The abuse resulted in his legs being amputated in 2017.

After being inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore's 100 laps around the garden for the NHS, Tony set his own challenge of walking 10km on his new legs and crutches for the Evelina London Children's Hospital.

His determination captured the nation's heart and he raised more than £1.5m.

The little lad also received messages and praise from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as well as other famous faces.

The feat also earned Tony a trophy at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards.

Tony Hudgell with his Pride of Britain award. Still taken from Pride of Britain Awards on ITV
Tony Hudgell with his Pride of Britain award. Still taken from Pride of Britain Awards on ITV

Now, between Friday, April 30 and Monday, May 3, Tony will be walking 100 steps in memory of his hero.

The family of the war veteran, who died on February 2 and raised almost £33m for NHS charities, have encourage people to take on their own 100 challenge, on what would have been his 101st birthday weekend.

People can create their own challenge around the number 100 to raise cash for a good cause.

Tony's mum Paul Hudgell, writing on Tony's fundraising page, said: "Sadly, Tony never got to actually meet Sir Captain Tom before his passing this year.

"There is not a day goes by that Tony does not speak about him still and we are so grateful he encouraged him to walk with his crutches.

"So it seems rather fitting that Tony take on the Captain Tom 100 Challenge. Tony has chosen to take 100 steps unaided between 30th April and 3rd May – the challenge weekend.

"While this may seem like an easy task, Tony’s only managed five or six steps without his crutches before, so this is yet another huge mountain for him to climb."

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