Tony Hudgell takes 26 families to visit Lapland

An 11-year-old double amputee has raised £120,000 to take a group of children affected by abuse to visit Lapland over the festive period.

Tony Hudgell, from Kings Hill, Kent, lost both legs due to injuries inflicted by his birth parents.

Tony said Christmas was a special time for him and following his first trip to Lapland two years ago, he said he wanted other children to "experience the magic of Lapland as well" and he now runs the Tony Hudgell Foundation which supports abused children.

After the foundation launched its Lapland campaign, they took 26 families, including 61 children, from across the country to go on "a trip of a lifetime".

Paula Hudgell, 58, who is Tony's adoptive mother, said some of the children had been through harrowing experiences like Tony.

"It was incredible to see all parents and children creating such wonderful memories, and they will last a lifetime," she added.

"Tony was so pleased we were able to make this happen for everyone. We also want to thank Canterbury Travels for organising the trip," she added.

Ms Hudgell said they had received "hundreds of applications" when they launched their Lapland campaign.

Rich Stephenson-Evans, from Stoke-on-Trent, said he and his husband, Simon and their son Leighton, had made a lot of friends during their "amazing trip".

He said Leighton, who is nine years old, is living with a few disabilities.

"Leighton was abused at birth. This trip has made a massive difference for him and he was really engaged in all the activities," he added.

Rich, who works as a veteran support officer for a local authority, said all the families took part in a mission to search for Santa.

"The trip meant so much to us. Leighton loved Lapland and enjoyed all the activities like visiting Santa's post office, Mrs Claus' house and seeing the reindeer," he added.

Rich said he was grateful for the Tony Hudgell Foundation for the "wonderful opportunity".

NHS worker Rachel, from Worthing, said it was a "beautiful and magical" experience 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!"

The 44-year-old said it was her post-adoption social worker who contacted the foundation and nominated them to go.

"I didn't know about it. When I found out I was selected I was so surprised," Rachel said.

"All the parents and children bonded. It was liberating to share personal experiences with families who are in a similar situation."

'The trip meant everything'

Shaun, from Surrey, said his husband Marios and their two adopted sons, who are five and four, enjoyed "every bit of the trip" and made many friends.

He said both sons were previously in foster care and had experienced neglect.

"We have been following the Tony Hudgell Foundation, and it was amazing to meet Tony himself," Shaun said.

"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."

Shaun also thanked the foundation for their "unforgettable experience" in Lapland.