To be honest, this day passed in a blur as it was our first without Dylan. It was a day that we wanted to mark, for Dylan, but we were still in shock about his passing.

We really didn't know how to go about it, but Dylan's school had a wonderful idea, a superhero themed day. They invited all of Dylan's friends, who weren't in lockdown, to attend school that day dressed as superheroes and each class set off confetti cannons in the playground. Those children at home were also invited to dress as superheroes, make superhero themed cakes and design their own superheroes. Dylan's out of school club and previous nursery also joined in on the action!

Back at home, we marked the occasion with Dylan's favourite pizza (pepperoni) and cake (chocolate). We had a '9' candle and opened and read to him birthday cards that he had received. His birthday presents were bought long before he passed and so, I told him what he would have had to open. I also made arrangements with the charity Brain Tumour Research to sponsor a day's research in Dylan's name. I specified the date as his 9th birthday, 8th January 2021, and I asked for it to be used for their research facility that mainly researched childhood brain tumours.

A days sponsorship costs £2740 per year and I aim to sponsor his birthday every year.