The family of Archie York, the seven-year-old boy killed in a devastating explosion in Newcastle's West End two years ago, have said he is "always with us in spirit" as they mark the anniversary of his death.
Archie died on October 16, 2024, when his family home in Violet Close, Benwell, was destroyed by a blast caused by an illegal drugs lab operating in the flat below. His loved ones will spend today remembering him and reflecting on efforts to prevent a similar tragedy.
A lasting legacy
Archie's story has been shared with authorities across the country to help spot the warning signs of the dangerous cannabis shatter operation responsible for his death. Earlier this year, his family and friends marked what would have been his ninth birthday with the unveiling of the Forever 7 nature trail at Woolsington's Parish Ponds.
His mother, Katherine Errington, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that she felt they had "achieved so much in the last two years" to honour and celebrate her fun-loving son's memory. The family plans to visit Violet Close on Friday to plant flowers and spend the day together, including with Archie's little brother Finley and baby sister Mabel, who was born earlier this year.
Family tributes
Katherine, 29, said: "We think about him all the time. We recently had a christening for [youngest son] Finley and Mabel and we involved Archie as much as we could in that. We always involve him and he is always with us in spirit."
She added: "We welcomed Mabel in May and she is the absolute picture of Archie. I do believe that things happen for a reason and that we were given Mabel because we needed someone to help keep us going. Archie always wanted a baby sister as well."
There had been fears before the nature trail's launch that the Parish Ponds was being targeted by vandals, but Katherine has been pleased to see the community has respected the area since it opened. She said: "The Parish Ponds Facebook page has a lot of interest in it and we know there are lots of people going up there and sharing photos with us. It is nice to see that it is being used correctly and that a lot of families are up there. It is like they are reconstructing exactly what we used to do as a family when we would go on a walk there with Archie."
Justice and future plans
Katherine and Archie's dad, Robbie, were left furious earlier this summer when it emerged that Reece Galbraith, the drug dealer jailed for manslaughter in connection with Archie's death, could be made eligible for the Government's controversial early prison release programme. After a campaign to block criminals responsible for the death of a child from the scheme, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced in August that offenders jailed for all forms of manslaughter and for causing or allowing the death of a child will be excluded from the changes to prison sentences.
Katherine received a letter from the Probation Service this month confirming that Galbraith's sentence will not be changed, and she described that as a "weight lifted off our shoulders". Newcastle City Council said it was yet to decide what will become of the Violet Close blast site and that "any future plans will be considered carefully and respectfully when the time is right".
Council leader Colin Ferguson added: "Two years on, Archie remains in the thoughts of people across our city. He is remembered with great affection by all who knew and loved him, and his loss continues to be felt deeply by his family, friends and the wider community. In the face of unimaginable grief, Katherine and Robbie have shown remarkable courage and determination. By sharing what happened and raising awareness of the dangers of shatter labs, they are helping others recognise the risks and working to prevent other families experiencing a tragedy like theirs."
He continued: "From the launch of Archie's Story to the creation of the Forever 7 Nature Trail, they have created meaningful ways for people to remember Archie and celebrate the joyful, much-loved little boy he was. Their commitment has been inspirational, and we are proud to have supported them in that work."
