Thieves posing as charity workers have reportedly been attempting to steal money by door-knocking for donations toward the Tony Hudgell Foundation in Bexley.
Tony Hudgell, now nine, suffered numerous life-threatening and life-changing injuries at the hands of his birth parents when he was just 41 days old. The violence left him with severe limb fractures, multiple organ failure, and sepsis, eventually leading to the amputation of his legs at the knee. Tony has since found happiness with his adoptive parents, Paula and Mark Hudgell, from West Malling.
The family launched the Tony Hudgell Foundation more than three years ago to support other children who have suffered from abuse. However, Paula Hudgell revealed this month that people pretending to work for the charity have been carrying out door-to-door collections in Bexley.
“This has not been authorised by us or received any funds,” she wrote on social media. “Please share that the Tony Hudgell Foundation does not do door-to-door collections. Donations can be made via the correct channels through our website.”
Mrs. Hudgell explained that the fraudulent collectors were wearing orange tabards and urged anyone who had come into contact with them to get in touch. “They are the lowest of the low. I mean, it’s just crazy,”.
The incident has been reported to the police and charity commissions.
Inspirational Tony Hudgell has raised more than £1 million for charity. Last year, he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the prevention of child abuse, becoming the youngest person on record ever to feature in the New Year Honours.
The Hudgell family has campaigned for a change in the law surrounding the sentencing of abusers. In 2022, Tony’s Law came into force, increasing the maximum sentence for anyone who causes or allows the death of a child or vulnerable adult in their household to life in prison, up from the previous 14-year maximum.
Jody Simpson and her partner Anthony Smith were sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018 for leaving Tony so badly injured he needed to have both legs amputated. Last month, Simpson was sent back to jail after allegedly “having a relationship with a sex offender.” She was released last February despite attempts from then-Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to stop it, but she was recalled to prison after breaching her license conditions.
The public is urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to charity collections to the authorities.
