New Bonds ambassador Ellidy Pullin talks about parenthood without Chumpy

Two years after his premature death, Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin’s partner Ellidy still finds it surreal he is gone. But the single mama is committed to raising their daughter … with a little help from some friends.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, however many parents are often left asking where their village is.

Not Ellidy Pullin.

Two years after the untimely death of her partner, Olympic snowboarder Alex “Chumpy” Pullin, Ellidy is navigating life as a single mum and has a “tribe” of helpers to assist in raising her daughter Minnie.

Her mother and brother, in-laws, and a bevy of loyal girlfriends are all helping to parent the Pullins’ baby girl.

Pullin tragically drowned while spearfishing off Queensland’s Palm Beach in July 2020, however his long-time partner announced she was pregnant with Mr Pullin’s child 15 months after the tragic accident thanks to a successful posthumous IVF procedure.

Ellidy Pullin in the Bonds Damn Dry Undies campaign. Picture: Supplied

“I am so fortunate to have the village around me that I do,” Ellidy told Saturday Confidential.

“My friends and family are super hands-on and I’m not shy at accepting their help.

“I know I’m a solo mama but I don’t really feel like one (except for those teething nights).

“I’m very lucky.

“I’m still finding it quite surreal that Chump has been gone now for two years. I truly don’t know if I’ll ever quite comprehend how he was here one minute and gone the next.

“Having Minnie is a constant reminder of her beautiful dad in the best and most bittersweet way.

“Life is so fragile, I do have my days but mostly I’m so motivated to live a full life and be the best parent I can be … if not with Chump, then for him.”

Ellidy with Olympic snowboarder Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin, who died two years ago. Picture: Supplied Instagram

Pullin, who has always worked as a model, has taken on a different kind of work since becoming a mum.

Pullin recently signed on as the face of Bonds as their Damn Dry undies ambassador.

When asked whether she ever imagined she would follow in the footsteps of Miranda Kerr, Jess Hart and Abbey Lee Kershaw and be a “Bonds girl”, Ellidy laughed: “I don’t think it was out of the realms of possibilities, but I probably never imagined it would be for the bladder leakage range.

“However, after childbirth I completely understand how necessary they are.

“I’ve still been too scared to go for a run nine months later … although I’d be keen to give it a go now with my Damn Dry undies.”

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]