The family of a young boy who was thrown from the 10th floor of the Tate Modern building says that after six “courageous” years, he is beginning to run, cycle, jump and swim.
The French youngster, who was six at the time of the attack, survived the 100ft (30m) fall but suffered life-changing injuries, including a bleed on the brain and broken bones.
His attacker, autistic teenager Jonty Bravery, was living in supported accommodation in 2019 but was allowed out unsupervised when he targeted the boy.
He was convicted of attempted murder in 2020 and jailed for 15 years.
‘Our little knight’
The boy, affectionately named “our little knight” by his family, spent months in intensive care and has surprised experts with his progress.
A GoFundMe page set up by a British supporter of the family said the boy and his father had been working towards a tricycle ride to the sea “a few kilometres” from their house.
It said: “As we live a few kilometers from the sea, they had set their final goal of having a picnic at the beach and then returning.
“After several progressive training sessions, they finally completed their 2.5 hour journey. They returned exhausted but delighted. Mission accomplished!”
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‘Incredible achievement’
The update went on: “Our son also continues to gain cognitive endurance. His memory skills are still very limited, but they are functional and still improving, so he is acquiring a general knowledge at his own pace, which increasingly allows him to be included with other children.
“Our little knight had long set himself the goal of being able to run, jump, and swim again. He can’t do it like other children his age, of course, but we can no longer describe what he does in any other way than by saying it’s running, jumping, and swimming.
“It’s different – only over a few metres or a very small height – but it’s an incredible achievement.”
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Big operation
A fundraising drive for the boy has raised almost half a million pounds with more than 14,000 donations.
His family said thanks to all his progress, he has found a place at his local school and is able to keep up with the subjects he attends around his rehabilitation sessions.
In early 2026, he will need another operation where he will be “immobilised” for nearly two months.
“The coming months promise to be busy, but we will continue to devote all our energy to our little knight, who is always so courageous.”
