Dillan's Legacy: new rooftop garden brings joy to children
A specially designed rooftop space named "Dilly's Den," built in memory of and inspired by Dillan Ramsey-Aksehir, has officially open at The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel.
Following his diagnosis in 2020, Dillan spent much of his life undergoing treatment for leukaemia at Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Royal London Hospital.
During his final two weeks, Dillan's one wish was to go outside. However, due to the medical support he required and an absence of accessible outside space, he was not able to fulfil this wish.
Dillan's brave battle with leukaemia came to an end in summer 2024, and his mother, Amy, made it her mission to ensure that, unlike Dillan, all young patients cared for at The Royal London could enjoy the outdoors:
"My vision for Dilly's Den came one week after Dillan passed. I returned to the last place I held him and began planning the transformation of the rooftop above the children's ward into a vibrant, healing, and fun outdoor area that both children and their families could enjoy.
“I wish I could have built this for Dillan, but I am so proud that we have for others."
Each part of Dilly's Den was specially curated by Amy and the hospital's play team and includes all the essentials needed for seriously ill children to enjoy the space safely.
Dilly's Den features:
- Pathways accessible by both wheelchair and hospital beds
- Power sockets for medical support, including oxygen and medicine drips
- A sensory zone for children with special needs
- A dedicated space for end-of-life patients to experience fresh air and sunlight
- An indoor mural inspired by Dillan's favourite toys and nurses
The space will also host birthday celebrations, festive visits from Santa, and other cherished family events, offering brief moments of normalcy and joy during the hardest days.
Funding for the project came through a GoFundMe campaign driven by Amy's devoted friends, family and Instagram community. Barts Charity also donated to the project.
Celebrities including Michelle Keegan, Mark Wright, and England footballers John Stones and Phil Foden supported the campaign, with the national team dedicating a match win to Dillan on the day of his passing.
Katy West and Nina Dickins, Macmillan Paediatric Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialists, who cared for Dillan from the beginning of his diagnosis, added:
“Dilly was the bravest, funniest little boy you could meet. Caring for him was a privilege.
“His treatment journey was difficult, beginning during a global pandemic, but he always greeted us with a cheeky grin and positivity.
“Dilly’s Den will bring so much joy to our patients who are bed-bound, and it means families can continue making magical memories, even when in the hospital."