Archie was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 2009 and his parents, Gary and Louisa Hill from Buckinghamshire, set up Action4Archie to raise vital funds for the Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund.
In 2008 Archie’s nursery commented that he was having trouble getting to his feet and could not pull himself up unaided. Gary and Louisa took him to their local GP who referred them to Great Ormand Street Hospitals for tests. The main consultant Paediatric Neurologist at the Neuromuscular Department said it could be the severe muscle-wasting condition Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and in 2009 the diagnosis was confirmed.
Naturally this was a very difficult time for the family, who struggled to come to terms with the news. However eighteen months after Archie was diagnosed, they felt ready to get involved with Muscular Dystrophy UK, who they say was a huge support to them during this period.
In 2012 the Hills became ambassadors for the charity’s Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund, which was set up to fund research into finding effective treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Family members and friends have thrown themselves behind fundraising to support the family, completing events including the London Marathon, 100km walking challenges, golf days, and fairs.
Louisa and Gary have also supported the charity through media work, appearing on the radio and television to help raise awareness of muscle-wasting conditions. To date, they have raised in excess of £131,000 for the charity.
Louisa says "Our lives will never be the same again. Archie is an amazing little boy who shows such courage and determination. He is becoming more aware of his condition but he is an extremely happy boy who is doing fantastically well, and we are all very proud of him"
