11-year-old double amputee raises £120,000 to take abuse-affected children to Lapland

An 11-year-old double amputee has helped raise about £120,000 to take a group of children affected by abuse to Lapland this festive season, the Tony Hudgell Foundation said. Tony Hudgell, from Kings Hill, Kent, lost both legs after injuries inflicted by his birth parents. After his first trip to Lapland two years ago, he launched the Lapland campaign to give other children who have faced abuse a chance to experience the magic of Lapland.

Since the drive began, the foundation has brought 26 families, including 61 children, from across the country on what organizers described as a 'trip of a lifetime.' Paula Hudgell, Tony's adoptive mother, said people were eager to participate and noted that the foundation had received hundreds of applications when the campaign launched. 'It was incredible to see all parents and children creating such wonderful memories, and they will last a lifetime,' she said. Canterbury Travels helped organize the trip, and Paula added that Tony was pleased to see the effort come together for all involved.

Among those who joined were Rich Stephenson-Evans, from Stoke-on-Trent, his husband Simon, and their son Leighton, part of a group of 25 other families. Leighton, nine, who is living with disabilities after being abused at birth, benefited from the experience. 'Leighton loved Lapland and enjoyed all the activities like visiting Santa's post office, Mrs Claus' house and seeing the reindeer,' Rich said, adding that the trip helped him feel connected with other families facing similar challenges.

NHS worker Rachel, from Worthing, said the trip was 'beautiful and magical' for her six-year-old adopted son and thanked the foundation for the opportunity. 'There were so many highlights. My son enjoyed the dog sledding through the forest; he loved how fast they were going,' she said. Rachel said it was her post-adoption social worker who nominated them to go, and she added that the group formed lifelong friendships during the journey.

Shaun, from Surrey, said his husband Marios and their two adopted sons, aged five and four, enjoyed 'every bit of the trip' and made many new friends. 'The trip meant everything to us. We got to spend quality time together as a family and we believe it's vital for children to have happy childhood memories. It was lovely for our sons to meet other children who were also adopted, so they know they are not alone,' he said.

The Tony Hudgell Foundation described the Lapland campaign as part of its broader work to support abused children and families, with organizers emphasizing the impact of shared holidays and experiences on healing and resilience.