Bella Build & Design Fundraising Dinner

On Friday 27 July, more than 530 guests attended an exclusive fundraising dinner, in the William Margery Room at Adelaide Oval, to raise funds for the WCH Foundation Beach House project hosted by our proud build partner, Bella Build & Design.

Paul and Marisa Bellardino hosted guests from the South Australian building industry, along with members of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital executive team, Foundation staff, board members and other VIPs. The event was to raise awareness for the project and to encourage industry backing to raise the additional funds and the in-kind support needed for the construction of this purpose-built holiday home.

Marisa and Paul Bellardino with WCH Foundation mascot, TK Bunny!

The fundraising highlight was some frantic bidding competition among guests for a wide range of items enthusiastically auctioned by Will Fitridge, from Klemich Real Estate and Bronte Manuel, from Toop & Toop.

The show-stopping part of the evening was when Remiko Prosser shared the inspirational story of her daughter, Allira’s challenges due to having a rare genetic condition. Over the past nine years she has spent over 750 days at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, however despite all of her health problems, she is strong, courageous and ready to live her life as fully as possible.

South Australia currently has no purpose-built holiday accommodation for families of children with complex medical needs. Remiko’s story is just one of the many families’ who know the importance of being able to make special memories with loved ones.  Once completed, the Beach House will provide an environment for families, just like Remiko’s, to take a break away and create special memories together.

Guests enjoyed a gourmet three-course meal and were entertained with performances from the Australian Company of Performing Arts, well-known illusionist, Matt Tarrant and MC, Oliver Sebastian. Later dancing the night away to the tunes of local band, Shaken Not Stirred.

Paul and Marisa were thrilled and completely overwhelmed by the generous response with the fundraising tally reaching an incredible $155,410! A massive thank you to everyone involved in making the event such a great success and for an incredible night.

Bella Build & Design are proud to be collaborating with us as the build partner for the construction phase of this exceptional project. More information about the Beach House project and how you too can make a difference for families can be found here.