Daniel Radcliffe‘s former stuntman double, who was paralysed on a Harry Potter film, has decided to auction his treasured Marauder’s Map from the series for an estimated £40,000 – to pay for wheelchairs and round-the-clock personal care.
David Holmes made the heartbreaking decision to raise funds for a variety of mobility equipment after he also fell victim to a banking scam that cost him thousands of pounds.
Holmes, 40, who was Radcliffe’s stunt double and has remained friends with the Potter acting star, 35, is putting the Marauder’s Map he received under the hammer.
It was first featured in 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban when the Weasley twins gifted it to Harry, and it went on to appear in later films in the series.
Holmes was paralysed from the chest down after breaking his neck in rehearsals for a fight scene in 2009 on the set of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
Daniel Radcliffe ‘s former stuntman double, who was paralysed on a Harry Potter film, has decided to auction his treasured Marauder’s Map from the series for an estimated £40,000 – to pay for wheelchairs and round-the-clock personal care
![David Holmes [pictured] made the heartbreaking decision to raise funds for a variety of mobility equipment after he also fell victim to a banking scam that cost him thousands of pounds](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/22/17/91152893-13988333-image-a-1_1729615690172.jpg)
David Holmes [pictured] made the heartbreaking decision to raise funds for a variety of mobility equipment after he also fell victim to a banking scam that cost him thousands of pounds
He spent several months in hospital and has undergone years of treatment and surgeries.
Holmes, whose map is expected to fetch between £20,000 and £40,000, said: ‘Living with a disability like mine is very expensive and the proceeds from the sale will go towards equipment and care.’
Holmes is also hoping to raise cash by releasing a memoir in November, with the same title as a Sky documentary about him, ‘The Boy Who Lived’.
Earlier this year Holmes told how he was left feeling ‘broken’ after fraudsters used a phone scam to grab money which he said was for his care and ‘to escape the pain of winter’.
He was called by someone claiming to be from the NatWest fraud team, who had personal details such as his address and knew that it had been his birthday the day before.
The person also knew he had cryptocurrency linked to his card and suggested transferring funds to a ‘secure wallet’.
Holmes said afterwards: ‘I was very vulnerable at the time. When it comes to birthdays, with my debilitating condition I always ask myself, “Where am I going to be next year and the year after?”‘
Holmes, 40, who was Radcliffe’s stunt double and has remained friends with the Potter acting star, 35, is putting the Marauder’s Map he received under the hammer
It was first featured in 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban when the Weasley twins gifted it to Harry, and it went on to appear in later films in the series
Holmes was paralysed from the chest down after breaking his neck in rehearsals for a fight scene in 2009 on the set of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1
He spent several months in hospital and has undergone years of treatment and surgeries
NatWest helped him with money he lost from his savings with them, but not the rest of the money which he lost in cryptocurrency.
Despite his injuries, while in hospital David decided that he couldn’t feel sorry for himself after meeting patients who had sustained injuries in a terrorist attack and a hate crime.
His Marauder’s Map will be one of a number of Potter film items, including various wands, being sold between November 14 and 17 at auctioneers Propstore’s Entertainment Memorabilia sale.
Stephen Lane, Propstore CEO, said: ‘Propstore’s Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction is an opportunity for Harry Potter fans and film memorabilia collectors alike, to take home their own piece from this magical world.
‘With items like Harry’s hero wand and the Marauder’s Map, these pieces truly represent the magic of cinema.’
It comes after David revealed in November that he ‘lives vicariously’ through Harry actor Daniel, after he was left paralysed when performing a stunt for the star.
Holmes, whose map is expected to fetch between £20,000 and £40,000, said: ‘Living with a disability like mine is very expensive and the proceeds from the sale will go towards equipment and care’
Despite his injuries, while in hospital David decided that he couldn’t feel sorry for himself after meeting patients who had sustained injuries in a terrorist attack and a hate crime (pictured in 2009)
David was rehearsing a flying scene involving an explosion when he plummeted to the ground while working on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 in January 2009 at the Leavesden film studios near Watford.
The accident snapped David’s neck which resulted in him being paralysed from the chest down, with limited movements in his arms and hands.
A consequent cyst in his spinal cord has resulted in ongoing deterioration and he is likely to soon be fully paralysed, making independent breathing, speech and swallowing impossible.
David told his story in documentary The Boy Who Lived, and spoke fondly about his ongoing friendship with Hollywood star Daniel, who served as an executive producer on the film.
He told The Independent: ‘Every time I see his physicality in films, I can vicariously live through those successes just because I know that those early days it was me that was whipping him into shape and laying the foundation for him.’
It comes after David revealed in November that he ‘lives vicariously’ through Harry actor Daniel , after he was left paralysed when performing a stunt for the star (pictured in 2007)
David told his story in documentary The Boy Who Lived, and spoke fondly about his ongoing friendship with Hollywood star Daniel, who served as an executive producer on the film
The former gymnast added to Radio Times: ‘We grew up together, and he grew to be one of my best friends. I’m so proud of him. You think of how many child stars don’t make it through that pressure.’
Speaking about his feelings towards the Harry Potter films now, he added: ‘I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t have regrets. But around my stunt career and around my contribution to the Potters, no.
‘I had the best job in the world and I’m part of something really beautiful, and you can’t ask for more than that as a legacy. If anyone can take something from my film, it’s understanding that we’re all on borrowed time and that we make the most of it.’
The bond he shares with Daniel is mutual, with the Emmy nominated actor telling The Sunday Times: ‘I always wanted an older brother and Dave was one of them.
‘He was someone that really looked out for me as I grew up and has continued to and I knew I could trust him. That’s something that hasn’t changed.’
