VISUALLY-IMPAIRED YOUNGSTERS GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH DIPPY THE DIPLODOCUS

Visually-impaired children had the chance to get up close and personal with Dippy the dinosaur at a specially-arranged visit organised by Vision Norfolk, the county’s sight loss charity.

The iconic life-sized diplodocus cast, which formerly stood in the main hall of the Natural History Museum in London, is currently on display in the nave of Norwich Cathedral on the first leg of a national tour.

A group of ten visually-impaired children were given a VIP visit to the dinosaur, including the chance to handle a replica of Dippy’s skull.

“We are very grateful to the Dippy team at the cathedral for laying on a visit which was carefully tailored to helping the visually-impaired youngsters get up close and personal with Dippy,” said Barbara Dunn, young people and families activities co-ordinator at Vision Norfolk.

“For sighted people, the impact of Dippy is obvious as soon as you step into the Cathedral.  The staff and volunteers really brought the whole display to life for our young people, and the opportunity to handle a life-sized replica oof Dippy’s head was a real highlight.”

Vision Norfolk’s Children, Young People and Families programme runs a series of activities across the year.  For more details, go to www.visionnorfolk.org.uk/children-young-people-and-families, or email barbara.dunn@visionnorfolk.org.uk.