Family picnic under Dippy the Diplodocus in Coventry in memory of 'dino-mad' tot

The family of a dinosaur-mad boy who died from a rare genetic condition marked what would have been his 10th birthday with dinner beneath Dippy the Diplodocus. Ewan Knox lost his brave battle with Hallermann–Streiff syndrome – so rare it affects only about 150 people worldwide – in 2016 just before he turned two.

Despite his condition, the tot was known for his beaming smile and love of all things dinosaur related. So to celebrate the day that would have seen Ewan reach the age of 10 his family, including mum Vicky and dad Mike, travelled to Coventry's Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.

Here they had a meal beneath Dippy, Ewan's favourite dinosaur, which he visited at various locations across the UK after seeing it for the first time in London. Vicky, from Carlisle, said: "That was the first time he saw anything like that, we had lots of photos taken and that just became a very special trip for us, one we looked back on fondly."

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Mike added: "One of things we did to move forward was to buy a VW Campervan and the first thing we did was get a great big Dippy emblem on the sides and it became known as ‘The Dippy Bus’. Everyone would recognise it and spot it as we were driving around."

The family were told of Ewan's condition, which affects growth and cranial development, when he was just three weeks old. As part of his sensory development he used an iPad with apps, including one that made dinosaur noises. Vicky said: "He sailed through his early stay in hospital. Even after he was diagnosed with his condition, he thrived, went from strength to strength and he developed into a happy and chilled little boy."

Lisa Ford, head of learning at Herbert Art Gallery, supported the Dine Under Dippy experience. She said: “Ewan’s story really touched the hearts of colleagues and we wanted to ensure an experience for them to honour his memory and his birthday could go ahead. Museums can be truly magical places that create lifelong memories and it is an honour that we have been able to play a small part in creating one of those memories for Vicky, Mike and their family."

Vicky and Mike raise money for Crawford House at Great Northern Children’s Hospital, which offers accommodation to parents whose children require long term treatment.

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