Archie Battersbee’s life has been celebrated at a funeral with videos of him singing and exercising. Archie’s body arrived at St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell in Southend in a hearse shortly before the midday service, with mourners dressed in purple sparkles in memory of the 12-year-old. The four black horses were also draped in purple feathers – a nod to the color adopted by Archie’s friends, family and supporters throughout their fight for his life. Bells tolled as his silver coffin was carried into the church for the service, followed by a line of mourners – most dressed in black, with purple accessories – led by Archie’s mother Hollie Dance. Archie’s older brother Tom and father Paul Battersbee drove the passengers. Flowers placed on top of the hearse read ‘son’, while others read ‘Archie’s army’. Mourners gathered at St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell, Southend. Credit: PA The song Hypnotize by American rapper the Notorious BIG plays over the speakers inside the church as people file into the pews. During the service, mourners sang hymns In Christ Alone and The Lord’s My Shepherd, before reminiscences of Archie were shared by friends from his gym and former primary school head. Paul Mackay, the vicar of St Mary’s, said there would be an eclectic mix of music and prayer to celebrate Archie’s life. During the service, a video of Archie singing One Call Away by Charlie Puth was played, before the choir performed a cover of the song. Archie’s mother Hollie Dance spoke at the funeral, telling the congregation: “I love him so much.” Credit: PA Archie’s mother tearfully spoke to the church before someone shouted “we love you Holly, we’re so proud of you” and the crowd burst into spontaneous applause. Mrs Dance said, from the front of the church: “He was just such a beautiful little boy and he made the most of everything he did. “He lived a very full and happy life. He was very, very energetic.” She continued: “He was the best little boy ever, just perfect. “There were a few little challenges along the way, but he was just shaping up into such a perfect little man. “I love him so much.” The order of service at the funeral of Archie Battersbee. Credit: PA Verity Adams from South Essex Gymnastics Club shared her memories of meeting Archie for the first time, as a toddler with “beautiful eyes and bright blonde hair”. She said he had “the cheekiest smile I’ve ever seen” and that it was clear he was “made for gymnastics”. She said he “always had a smile on his face” and had shown “all the courage, bravery and determination he had shown over the last few months”. Pop star Lewis Capaldi’s song Someone You Loved was played over the speakers, and there was poetry, hymns, a Bible reading and a video montage of photos and film of Archie, including some of him doing somersaults. The four black horses drawing the hearse wore purple feathers in Archie’s honor. Credit: PA As people left the church, Lucid Dreams by Juice WRLD was played. The family said, in a funeral order, that donations to the Tafida Raqeeb Foundation would be gratefully received. The foundation aims to improve the quality of life of children suffering from a neurological condition and “to be their vocal advocates”. Archie died in hospital on August 6, following a months-long legal battle over his life-support treatment. He had not regained consciousness after being found unconscious at home on April 7. A high court judge ruled that doctors could legally stop providing life-support treatment to the young man in July. Doctors stopped the treatment in early August after Archie’s mother, Holly Dance, and his father, Paul Battersby, failed in their attempts to overturn Mr Justice Hayden’s decision. Doctors treating Archie at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, thought he was dead from the brain stem and said continued life support treatment was not in his best interests. Bosses at Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, asked a High Court judge to make decisions about which medical moves were in Archie’s best interests. Archie died in hospital on August 6. Credit: Family photo Want a quick and special update on the biggest news? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out what you need to know
