Archie Battersbee's mum releases unseen photo of lad who wanted to be a gymnast

29 July 2023 , 20:53

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Gymnastics fan Archie Battersbee with awards

The mum of a boy who longed to be a gymnast today reveals plans for a memorial as the anniversary of his death draws near. Hollie Dance told how Archie Battersbee, 12, was just a toddler when he first became captivated by the sport on TV and dreamed of performing at the Olympic Games.

Today, heartbroken Hollie shares unseen snaps of her son in action. One picture shows Archie perched in front of the TV watching the sport, while others show him dangling from gymnastic rings and holding trophies.

Hollie, 47, also reveals plans to install parallel bars at a park where Archie played in a bid to encourage other youngsters to take up the sport. Mum-of-three Hollie said: “Arch wanted to be a gold medal Olympic gymnast, so having something that will allow others to be inspired and follow in his footsteps is really important.

Archie watching the Olympics on TV

Archie in hospital last year (Hollie Dance / SWNS)

“We’re planning to have a plaque next to the gym bars so parents can talk to their children about Archie and his dream of making it to the Olympics. He’s inspired so many already. Just last week I got a message from a boy who bought a toy boxer with his pocket money because it had a six-pack and reminded him of Archie.

“He’s also taken up gymnastics and whenever he gets a certificate, he puts it up to the sky and says, ‘Archie, look what I’ve got!’” Hollie found Archie unconscious on April 7 last year with a dressing gown cord around his neck. He suffered brain damage and a High Court judge later ruled that ending life support was in his best interests. Hollie and Archie’s dad Paul fought to reverse the decision, but failed to get the ruling overturned.

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Archie doing the gymnastics rings routine

Archie dangling from gymnastics rings at home

Archie died after his life support was switched off on August 6, 2022. A coroner ruled that his death was due to a “prank or experiment” gone wrong. Hollie admits feeling numb to the trauma but told how it’s the small things that keep Archie close. She said: “I keep his boxing gloves on my bed posts because, although he’s not here physically, his presence is all around me.” Hollie also believes Archie could have survived if the family had been allowed to go abroad for treatment.

Archie's parents Paul Battersbee and Hollie Dance at court (PA)

She added: “A surgeon in America who has dealt with lots of these cases has seen people waking up from being brain dead. They have gone through rehabilitation, they are walking, they are talking and have a quality of life.” Hollie shared her frustration weeks after telling an inquiry that the decision to withdraw Archie’s life support less than a month after the incident was “unduly hasty”.

Giving evidence to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics – which is looking into the decision to withdraw Archie’s life support – Hollie said terminally-ill children are powerless in the face of medical authority. She is seeking to prove that Archie’s rights were violated. Hollie said: “Archie had absolutely everything to live for, but this country did not give him a chance.”

Saskia Rowlands