Archie Battersbee: Funeral for boy at centre of life-support row to be held next month

12-year-old passed away on 6 August after his life support and medication was stopped

The funeral of a boy who died following a legal battle over his life support treatment will be held next month.

A service for Archie Battersbee will take place at St Mary's Church in Prittlewell, Southend, Essex, on September 13, a family spokesperson said.

The 12-year-old died at 12pm on Saturday, 6 August, after he was taken off his life support machine and his medication was stopped.

His mother Hollie Dance said he “fought right until the very end and I am so proud to be his mum”.

His death came following weeks of legal battles, with medics and his parents disagreeing over the best course of action for the youngster.

The schoolboy suffered a brain injury in April during an incident at his home in Southend, Essex, which his mother believes may have been linked to an online challenge.

Medics argued Archie was brain-stem dead and continued life-support treatment was not in his best interests, while his parents wanted a London hospital to continue with treatment.

The High Court gave medical professionals permission to stop treating Archie despite the wishes of his parents.

Earlier this week Anna Firth, the Conservative MP for Southend West - Archie’s area - said she wanted to raise her concerns about the case with the government.

Archie Battersbee (Hollie Dance/PA) (PA Media)

Southend Conservative MP Anna Firth wants to discuss the Archie Battersbee case with Health Secretary Steve Barclay (Joe Giddens/PA) (PA Archive)

Archie Battersbee’s parents, Paul Battersbee and Hollie Dance, leave the Royal Courts Of Justice in London (Victoria Jones/PA) (PA Wire)

The MP has asked to discuss Archie’s case with Steve Barclay, the health secretary. She said that she has asked Mr Barclay if he will meet her and Archie’s mother, who lives in Southend, Essex.

“The state process for dealing with the withdrawal of life support for a child where there is a dispute between the parents and the hospital is just not appropriate,” she said.

“As a society, I think we can do better.”

She added: “I have now formally written, on behalf of Hollie, to the Health Secretary, requesting a meeting to discuss Archie’s case.”

Ms Dance has also written to Mr Barclay, asking for a meeting, and said she wants a “public inquiry” into the “operation of this system” and a “change of the law”.