THE grieving family of a two-year-old boy who lost his battle with cancer have unveiled a playhouse in his memory at a nursery in Dunbar.
Dax Peek passed away on August 31, 2020, less than six months after he was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma – a rare, aggressive children’s cancer.
The toddler, who lived with parents Devon and Jonny and older sister Darcie on the town’s Salisbury Walk, attended Cherrytrees Nursery in the town.
Devon, a dental nurse, and Jonny, who worked at Torness Power Station before becoming an instrument engineer offshore, were left heartbroken following the loss of their only son last year.
Dax’s grandparents, Jennifer and Bryan Wilkie, 57, decided to donate a children’s playhouse to honour the memory of their beloved grandson and his time spent at the nursery, on Abbey Road.
Jennifer said: “Dax went to Cherrytrees Nursery, he loved it there and his cousins go there as well, and the nursery were so supportive while Dax was going through his illness.
“They would give gifts to his big sister Darcie and to Dax.
“After we lost him they were great; some of the girls gave some really lovely gifts and pictures.”
The family thanked Cherrytrees Nursery owners Stewart and Lisa Bennet for their continued support.
Jennifer said: “My husband is a joiner so I know he has done some work for Lisa and Stewart Bennet and he wanted to give something back to the nursery as a thank you from the family. So we decided we’d get a nice playhouse for the children with a plaque and we’ve called it Dax’s Den.
“Our family is so grateful and this is another way of keeping his memory going.”
She added: “I think Bryan would love to take credit for building the playhouse but it was a wee kit we got and we looked for something that was big and substantial for the children.
“A few months ago we were talking about it and when Bryan had been up and down to the nursery to do some work, and the girls all there were asking how Devon, Jonny and Darcie have been doing, they were just so lovely and we wanted to give something back.
“Hopefully the children are in there today playing.”
Jennifer added: “It is really difficult talking about Dax without getting upset.
“He was such an amazing wee boy and we have such great memories.
“But we all have a huge bit of our hearts missing now.”
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