Sir Chris, who turns 89 on Sunday, will join eight-year-old Tony, as he attempts to climb his first Lake District fell, Orrest Head, and raise money for four charities. The ‘Summit’s Up For Tony’ challenge will take place on Tuesday 8 August.
Tony Hudgell lost both of his legs by amputation following life-changing injuries inflicted by his birth parents when he was a baby. Adopted by Mark and Paula Hudgell, Tony captured the hearts of millions worldwide at the age of just five, with his efforts to walk 10 kilometres on his prosthetic legs, raising funds for the Evelina London Children's Hospital, which saved his life and supported him through his journey.
Tony's latest challenge involves scaling his first Lakeland Fell, Orrest Head, symbolic of his own climb over adversity. As he makes his way to the summit, Tony aims to raise significant money for four charities: the Tony Hudgell Foundation, outdoor adventure charity Bendrigg Trust, Crohn’s & Colitis UK, and the Lake District Foundation. Sir Chris is a patron of Bendrigg Trust and an ambassador for Berghaus, which has an ongoing mission to make the outdoors more accessible for everyone. When he heard about Tony’s challenge, he offered to join him on Orrest Head.
Tony Hudgell at a climbing training session
Sir Chris Bonington sent a message to Tony: “I’m one of Bendrigg Trust’s patrons and a Berghaus ambassador. I’ve been watching your story and your climbing skills, which absolutely amaze me. You really are an inspiration. It will be a huge honour to walk up Orrest Head with you on 8 August. But I’ve got to warn you – I walk very, very slowly, as I’ve had two hip replacements and I’m not quite as young as I was. Good luck Tony and go, go, go!”
Since the challenge was announced, Summit’s Up For Tony has gained momentum and support from many other prominent figures in the outdoor community, including adaptive adventurer Ed Jackson,
who has been working with Berghaus to help individuals with physical impairments to continue enjoying outdoor activities.
Ed is a former rugby player who overcame his own life-changing spinal injury to return to the outdoors. Ed sent a good luck message to Tony from a mountain in Norway: “I’ve been hearing all about your challenge - wow, what an incredible effort that is going to be. You are a true inspiration. We do share one thing in common - I also have a disability. I broke my neck in 2017, so I have a spinal cord injury. I, like you, love getting outdoors – I’m currently in Norway. Anything I do pales into insignificance compared to you. What an amazing person you are. I’m wishing you all the best of luck for your challenge in the Lake District. Who knows, one day maybe we can climb a mountain together.”
Others who have lent their voices to raise awareness about Tony's challenge and the causes it supports include Ant and Dec, TV personality and NHS doctor Dr. Ranj Singh, Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins, and Cumbrian MP Tim Farron.
As Summit’s Up For Tony gains widespread attention and celebrity endorsement, the call for public support becomes more crucial than ever. The campaign invites individuals, corporations, and philanthropic organisations to rally behind Tony's mission and donate generously. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a difference. To donate and be a part of this life-changing journey, visit https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/gotonygo.