Tony Hudgell donates £30k to Sheffield Children’s after life-changing surgery

Tony Hudgell donates £30k to Sheffield Children’s after life-changing surgery

National treasure, Tony Hudgell, has made a generous £30,000 donation to The Children’s Hospital Charity in thanks for the ‘incredible care’ he has received following his life-changing surgery at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

10 year-old Tony is currently under the care of Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr James Fernandes, and his team at Sheffield Children’s. Back in March, Mr Fernandes performed a complex surgery on Tony, which will hopefully completely change his life.

After suffering horrific abuse at the hands of his birth parents when he was just days old, Tony’s lower limbs were amputated when he was a toddler. Since then, he has relied on crutches to get around. However, his devoted adoptive parents, Paula and Mark, were committed to finding a surgeon who could give him the best chance of being more mobile into his teens, with the ultimate aim of being able to walk without crutches. The intricate surgery that Tony needed could only be performed in two parts of the world – America, and Sheffield Children’s.

Former Pride of Britain winner, Tony, was in surgery for over five hours while Mr Fernandes operated to secure his permanently dislocated hip with an absent ball joint, and lengthen the thigh segment - otherwise referred to as a Pelvic Support Osteotomy or Illizarov Hip Reconstruction.

Tony and his parents have put in a lot of effort in his post operative rehabilitation, with wonderful progress in bone healing and removal of his frame within six months.

Tony’s mum, Paula, praised the care Tony has received at Sheffield Children’s, saying: “Mr Fernandes and his incredible team have been amazing, and we are forever grateful for everything they have done for us. Tony has been given the all clear from his operation back in March to now be able to weight bear on his reconstructed hip and leg.

“Tony has never walked on his stumps, or independently without crutches, but thanks to the life changing operation by Mr Fernandes, Tony is learning to walk. We've had tears of joy that he may get his dream of being able to run and play football one day. We are so happy, emotional, and proud of this little boy who has so much resilience and determination, and inspires so many. "

To give thanks, Tony, along with his parents Paula and Mark, proudly presented an incredibly generous £30k donation to Mr Fernandes, The Children’s Hospital Charity’s CEO, John Armstrong, and Sheffield Children’s Chief Executive, Ruth Brown.

John said: “Tony is an absolutely extraordinary boy, who has inspired the nation with his determination and positive spirit. It’s been a pleasure to meet him and his family, and learn more about the remarkable journey they’ve been on.”

The donation was made via the Tony Hudgell Foundation – a charity co-founded by Tony, which exists to support projects and initiatives that could help those suffering from similar physical, emotional and psychological struggles that he endured as an infant.

John goes on to say: “We are so grateful to receive such a generous donation from the Tony Hudgell Foundation, which will undoubtedly help the Charity change lives at Sheffield Children’s. We are committed to championing excellence and innovation to improve care and treatment for children and young people across South Yorkshire and beyond, so this gift will make such a difference.”

The £30k will go to the Paediatric Limb Reconstruction Service (PLRS), where Mr Fernandes works.

Tony’s dad, Mark, explained: “We know how many patients from across the whole country are treated at Sheffield Children’s, and so are proud to be able to make a contribution that will positively impact so many children like Tony.”

Ruth Brown said: “It was fantastic to meet Tony and his family and see immense progress he’s made under our care already. We’re so grateful for the generosity of the foundation, it will enable us to support many more children with our specialist care across the country.”