Archie Battersbee: Tributes paid at Southend funeral

Family and friends of Archie Battersbee, who died following a legal battle over his life support, have paid tribute to him at his funeral in Essex.

The 12-year-old boy died in August after his parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, lost a series of legal hearings around his medical treatment.

Mourners at the service at St Mary's Church in Southend were asked to wear purple ribbons or ties to remember him.

Ms Dance told the congregation "he was the best little boy ever".

Speaking through tears, she said Archie had lived a "fulfilled, happy life" and was "moulding into such a perfect young man".

The song Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi was played over speakers and there was poetry, hymns, a bible reading and a video montage of photographs and film of Archie.

"There was nothing run-of-the-mill about Archie," said Matt Badcock, head teacher at Earls Hall Primary School, which Archie attended.

He also praised Archie's loyalty and "strong friendships".

Another tribute came from Verity Adams of South Essex Gymnastics Club.

She said Archie was a keen gymnast and scaled every piece of equipment and had "no fear".

"I've never seen that level of confidence in someone so young," she said.

The colour purple became associated with Archie's Army - the name given to people who supported his parents' legal fight.

Ahead of the service, his mother said the 12-year-old had wanted to be a world champion fighter and the funeral would honour that wish.

"He's still going out a champ," she said.

In April, Ms Dance found her son unconscious at home in Southend, Essex, and she believed he may have been taking part in an online challenge when he was injured.

Archie suffered severe brain injuries and needed life-sustaining support, including mechanical ventilation and drug treatment. He never regained consciousness.

Ms Dance and Archie's father had fought Barts NHS Health Trust, which runs the Royal London Hospital in east London where he was treated, about the care of their son.

Doctors believed it was in his best interests for life support to be withdrawn - a decision supported by various courts over a number of months. Treatment was stopped in August.

Following the service, a private burial took place and a memorial bench was unveiled in Southend's Priory Park, with a plaque that reads "Make the most of your life, live and be happy".

It was a moving service for Archie in Southend, punctuated with music, from his arrival to The Notorious BIG's Hypnotize to a gospel performance of Amazing Grace.

The church was packed with people of all ages. But perhaps the greatest reminder of Archie's youth were the schoolboys who sat arm-in-arm comforting one another throughout the service.

Archie's gymnastics coach Verity Adams spoke of how full of life he was, how he would scale the equipment in seconds and how, from her very first meeting with him, she knew he had something special.

The 447 mourners wore black and purple in Archie's memory. There was laughter and nods of agreement when they were told Archie was happiest "when upside down".

His tearful mum Hollie spoke briefly, telling those gathered that Archie would poke fun at her cooking, that he would tell people he knew his dinner was done when the "fire alarm went off".

When her voice cracked, shouts of "we love you Hollie" and "we're so proud of you" came from the pews before the church erupted into applause.

Archie's family went on from the church to a private burial, his glittery silver coffin placed in a horse-drawn carriage.

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