Toowoomba Hospital Foundation’s Something for Bella fundraiser to be biggest on record

If she had of lived, Bella Drury would have turned six in April this year but sadly she was one of 112 Australian babies whose deaths were attributed to SIDS in 2017. Now her dad is on a mission to make sure no other family has to experience that pain.

Bella Drury was born beautiful and healthy but sadly passed away four weeks after birth from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Last month she would have turned 6 years old.

Not a day goes by that her dad Billy Drury doesn’t think of her and has spent every birthday since celebrating her short life.

The Toowoomba dad started the Something About Bella fundraiser event in 2019 and each year invites friends, family and the public to attend and raise money for the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation.

Mr Drury said he spent a month in the neonatal unit when Bella was born and wanted to be able to give back.

Billy Drury cuddling with his daughter Bella at the Toowoomba Hospital.

“She was born eight weeks premature and appeared healthy but small,” he said.

“We shared a very special bond and I thank the team in the neonatal unit for the time I got to spend with my little girl.

“I wanted to do something positive in Bella’s memory and after a meeting with the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation it was decided we would work together to make her birthday fundraiser into an annual community event that anyone could support.”

This year’s event, to be held on Sunday, June 4, is set to be the biggest one yet.

Each year the event has consisted of live entertainment, a skydive display, car and motorcycle show, dance performances and sideshow alley.

Billy Drury (left) and Bronco Jensen at one of the earlier Something about Bella events to raise money for Toowoomba Hospital in 2019.

This year there will also be market stalls, food vendors, a swap meet as well as a motorcycle ride called Bella’s Run.

Mr Drury said it would be a great day out for the whole family.

“Whether you like good tunes, raffles, street food and markets, muscle cars and motorcycles there will be something for you,” he said.

“For the kids we will have a jumping castle, movie on the big screen, sideshow activities and even a fire truck to climb in.

“It couldn’t be any easier to support a great cause.

“Just come along grab some lunch and a raffle ticket and you’ll be helping our little ones that need extra help.”

The event has raised more than $10,000 since it began and this year it’s hoped it will raise $6000, which will go towards refurbishing the neonatal unit.

Mr Drury feels honoured to be able to use his daughter’s memory to make a difference in the lives of others.

“The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation does an amazing job raising much needed funds and I feel blessed to be able to work along them to make a difference in Bella’s memory,” he said.

“Anything we can do to help improve our health department will make a tangible difference in the lives of our loved ones that need care.”

Something About Bella will be held at the TAFE Oval behind the Cobb and Co Museum from 9am to noon.

If you would like to donate, sponsor, host a market stall or attend the swap meet phone [phone].

Donations can be made here.