The Block stars Dan Reilly and Dani Wales have shared a heartbreaking post following their baby daughter’s tragic death.
The reality TV couple took to Instagram just before Christmas to share the news that their newborn daughter Billie Vera Reilly had passed away at just 10 days old.
Now, the couple have taken to Instagram to share another emotional tribute to their beloved daughter as they continue to grieve her devastating loss.
They posted separate photographs of themselves with baby Billie as they spoke of the ‘happy memories’ they had with her before her death.
Dan, who serves as a foreman on The Block, shared a photograph of him and Dani smiling as they took footprint moulds of Billie while she was in hospital.
In an accompanying caption, Dan emotionally shared that being a father to Billie has taught him more than he has ever learnt in his entire life.
The Block stars Dan Reilly and Dani Wales (both pictured) have shared a heartbreaking post following their baby daughter Billie Vera Reilly’s tragic death
‘One of many amazing moments spent with our precious Billie,’ he penned.
‘Although it was short, we have so many happy memories. Billie taught me more about life in 10 days than 41 years on this planet. She is the gift that I am so thankful for.
‘Her mum and my wife @dani_wales has been so inspiring to see the love and strength she gave and gives to our family every day.’
Dan encouraged people to make a donation in Billie’s honour to The Royal Women’s Hospital via their in memoriam fundraising page.
‘We are so grateful to be able to have these memories and it wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing efforts of the @theroyalwomens NICU,’ he added.
‘If you’re in a position to donate to @theroyalwomens hit the link in my bio.’
The fundraiser has already raised $21,229 for the NICU consultants, nurses and staff at the hospital.
On Sunday, Dani also posted a black-and-white photograph of them both with Billie as she gushed that she will be talking about her beloved daughter ‘forever’.
Dan shared a photograph of him and Dani smiling as they took footprint moulds of Billie while she was in hospital and spoke about how much his daughter taught him before her death
She penned: ‘Recently we got some film photography back from the wonderful @mrskevinsphotos of our little family photoshoot we did with our Billie girl.
‘Every moment in time captured with her is so phenomenal and our walls will be covered soon but I keep coming back to this one.
‘Staring at its perfection over and over. Our family, so happy, forgetting about everything else for just a moment (even Billie’s Bestie Nurse Cathy kneeling beneath us holding tubes) and just holding each other.
‘Everything in life brought us to that moment of pure bliss holding our most magical and beautiful creation to date.
‘Despite never seeing our faces or making a sound – her finding the strength to give us the time we had with her and the opportunity to hold her and experience this feeling was everything. She is everything.
‘We will talk about her forever and do incredible things to make a difference in her honour, and make sure everyone knows who Billie Reilly is.’
The heartbroken couple took to Instagram on December 20 to announce that Billie had passed away at 10 days old.
They posted a photograph of themselves with their arms around one another as they stood by their daughter’s cot in hospital.
The reality TV couple took to Instagram just before Christmas to share the news that their newborn daughter Billie Vera Reilly had passed away at just 10 days old
In a tribute, Dani shared her ‘insurmountable’ grief and said she and Dan both feel ‘honoured’ to be Billie’s parents.
They wrote: ‘Billie Vera Reilly 8/12/24 – 18/12/24. It is with insurmountable grief that we share the news that our daughter Billie, has passed on from this life and into the next at just 10 days young.
‘In Billie’s short time in this world, she taught us an intensity of both love and pain we never knew possible. She taught us what really matters.
‘Billie was so wanted, so loved and she made us parents… and what an honour it is to be her mummy and daddy. She will always be our daughter.
‘It’s clear to us that Billie was far too good for this world but if we know anything for sure, it’s that Billie’s legacy will make an impact greater than all of us.
‘Thank you @mrskevinsphotos for capturing such beautiful family photos for us and also for @heartfelt_ausnz for capturing many of Billie’s firsts.
‘We want to make special mention of ‘Billie’s Besties’ at @theroyalwomens – the nurses, doctors & staff in NICU are some of the most incredible people to walk this earth and we’ll be forever grateful for the care and love they gave our girl, and us.
‘If you’re in a position to, you can make a donation in Billie’s honour to The Royal Women’s Hospital via the link (linked in bio).’
The couple first hit national attention when they appeared on the 2012 series of The Block, taking home second place honours and a profit of $448,000
Dani signed off her post by asking for privacy and telling their followers that they will share more about Billie’s story in the future.
‘Lastly, we understand there will be questions, and so many of the answers we just don’t have yet,’ she added.
‘We’ll share more in time but for now we ask for privacy as we work through this together and with our loved ones.
‘”You look so pretty, pretty like the sun. I could watch forever, while you shine on everyone.” We love you Billie.’
Dan and Dani had announced they were expecting their first child together in a post shared to Instagram in July.
The couple first hit national attention when they appeared on the 2012 series of The Block, taking home second place honours and a profit of $448,000.
The pair returned in 2013 for The Block All Stars series, walking away with third place and a profit of $220,000.
Dan has since taken on a role as a foreman on the show and they also host the Dan vs Dani series, critiquing each team’s Room Reveals every week.
The couple tied the knot in 2018 in an intimate ceremony on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
