The unbeatable boy

At only 41 days old, Tony suffered a multitude of injuries at the hands of his birth parents. He required eight blood transfusions and 23 operations, including a double amputation at the knees when he was just three years old. 

Created in house and directed by Sam Huntley, through Sonny Boy Films, this stirring film Fighting Spirit looks back at how much the plucky eight-year-old has already achieved. At just five years old, he set out to raise £500 for the Evelina Children’s Hospital which saved his life; he ended up raising over £1.7 million. 

Tony’s fundraising efforts have been recognised with numerous accolades and in 2021 his adopted parents, Paula and Mark Hudgell set up the Tony Hudgell Foundation to help children affected by physical and emotional abuse. 
They also spearheaded a campaign to enact ‘Tony’s law’ to introduce longer sentences for child cruelty crimes in England and Wales.

This film’s launch coincides with the early release of Tony’s birth mother from prison, halfway through her 10 year sentence. Despite this disappointment, the Foundation is more determined than ever to do tell Tony’s story and help other children.