The Block stars Dan Reilly and Dani Wales have revealed a touching tribute in memory of their late daughter.
The reality TV couple tragically lost their daughter Billie in December last year at just ten days old.
Contemporary artist Kerry Armstrong has created a piece in honor of Billie to raise money for a special cause in her honour.
The artwork titled I Am Love will be donated to raise funds for Billie’s Besties Fund, a pool of money which supports neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) families via the Women’s Hospital.
Since December, the couple have already raised over $35,000 for NICU support as a tribute to Billie.
‘Billie’s reach is wide — so many people have been touched by her story and the light she brought to the world in such a short time,’ Dani shared in a statement to the Herald Sun.
The Block stars Dan Reilly and Dani Wales have revealed a touching tribute in memory of their late daughter. The reality TV couple tragically lost their daughter Billie in December last year at just ten days old
Contemporary artist Kerry Armstrong has created a piece in honor of Billie to raise money for a special cause in her honour
Dani said the painting was ‘perfect’, adding: ‘The idea that it will carry eternal meaning and bring a lifetime of joy and smiles to its future owner feels really special.’
Speaking of the artwork, artist Kerry revealed that she began the piece after reading about Dan and Dani’s heartbreaking experience.
‘The emotions I felt and empathy towards them came through in the most beautiful, ethereal way onto the linen and I was compelled to write an accompanying verse which is forever captured with my handwriting on the back of the piece,’ she shared.
The Block alum took to Instagram in December to share the devastating news that their daughter Billie Vera Reilly passed away at just 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.
In a heartbreaking 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.
The Block stars Dan Reilly and Dani Wales have shared their heartbreak as their newborn daughter has tragically died
‘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.’
Dani went on to encourage people to make a donation in Billie’s honour to The Royal Women’s Hospital via their in memoriam fundraising page.
She wrote: ‘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).’
Dani emotionally 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.
On The Block, the couple took out second place honours and a profit of $448,000 and are now a staple part of the reality TV series, with Dan serving as a foreman
‘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.
The pair, who were dating at the time, took out 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.
