A little kid who lost both legs due to maltreatment before winning the nation’s heart by earning £1.8 million through fundraising walks is embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to visit Father Christmas in Lapland.
Tony Hudgell, eight, expressed his joy when he arrived at Gatwick Airport this morning to begin his four-day journey.
He said he couldn’t wait to join the fun with reindeer and husky dogs, meet elves, and hunt through snow-covered woodlands for Santa’s hiding place while he prepares for Christmas.
Tony is traveling out with his adoptive parents, Paula and Mark Hudgell, and three of their young kids for the excursion, where they will stay in a log cabin.
Prince William and wife Kate have praised the boy as a hero for his incredible fundraising treks to support disadvantaged youngsters. After being motivated by Sir Captain Tom Moore, who raised more than £33 million walking in his backyard, he set out to walk 10km in 30 days in 2020 to raise £500 for the hospital that saved his life.
Last year, a charity established in his honor to improve the lives of kids affected by physical, mental, or psychological abuse supplied over 700 Christmas presents for kids in need, and he hopes to duplicate that this year.
And his efforts are going to be bolstered by Father Christmas himself, who plans to surprise the boy with a £5,000 donation to the Tony Hudgell Foundation.
Tony’s extraordinary accomplishments come despite a traumatic start to life that included 23 surgeries and eight blood transfusions.
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