A HEROIC eight-year-old, whose legs had to be amputated following life-changing injuries inflicted by his birth parents when he was a baby, has set himself the challenge of summiting a Lake District fell.

Pride of Britain winter Tony Hudgell has set himself another awe-inspiring challenge ‘Summits up for Tony’, three years after he raised over £1.7 million by walking 10km on his prosthetic legs during the pandemic.

Tony will attempt to summit his first Lakeland fell, Orrest Head, on Tuesday August 8.

His latest epic challenge follows on from the fundraising efforts of 2020 when, at just five, Tony raised more than a million pounds for The Evelina Children’s Hospital.

The hospital saved Tony’s life when he was brought in aged just six weeks old with severe injuries inflicted by his birth parents, which resulted in multiple fractures, dislocations and eventually led to both Tony's legs being amputated.

The abuse by his birth parents also left Tony with other health conditions that require on-going treatment but this hasn’t stopped Tony, and he continues to capture hearts with his bravery, optimism and infectious smile.

The call of the mountains will see Tony raising funds for the Bendrigg Trust, Crohn’s & Colitis UK, The Lake District Foundation’s Fix the Fells, and his own eponymous Foundation.

As the first fell summited by Alfred Wainwright in his first visit to the Lake District in 1930, Orrest Head provides an appropriate challenge for Tony’s first climb and for his indomitable spirit to conquer.

Grasmere’s The Swan will become ‘expedition headquarters’ in early August, hosting the young fundraiser and his family for the duration of his attempt to summit Orrest Head.

The Swan general manager Nellie Buxton said: “We're delighted to be doing our bit and supporting Tony in this incredible challenge. He is a determined little soul, and we are really looking forward to hosting him and his family during their time in the Lakes and seeing him reach the top of Orrest Head.”

Tony’s £509 target has been smashed within the first week of fundraising, with The Inn Collection Group donating the target value itself and £1989 being raised so far.

Donations can be made in support of the Summit's Up for Tony challenge by visiting https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/gotonyg