The Block stars Dan Reilly and Dani Wales have suffered a gut-wrenching loss after a painting dedicated to their late daughter was stolen from a Melbourne gallery on Sunday.
The reality TV couple tragically lost their child, Billie, in December last year when she was just ten days old.
Painter Kerry Armstrong created the artwork, valued at a reported $23,000, which was intended to raise funds for a neonatal care unit at the Women’s Hospital.
Channel Nine reported the heartless robbery on Sunday and shared CCTV footage of thieves removing six paintings from the walls of Armstrong’s gallery in Cheltenham.
At one point, a thief can be seen stealing Billie’s painting, titled ‘I Am Love,’ and tossing it onto the back of a truck.
‘An incredibly kind person did something that they didn’t have to do to honour our daughter because of the impact it had on her,’ an emotional Dani told Nine News.
The Block stars Dan Reilly and Dani Wales have suffered a gut-wrenching loss after a painting dedicated to their daughter was stolen from a Melbourne gallery on Sunday. Pictured: Dani posing with artwork, which was intended to raise funds for a neonatal care unit
The reality TV couple tragically lost their child, Billie, in December last year at just ten days old. Pictured: Dani and Dan during their emotional interview with Nine News on Sunday
‘It’s just heartless, Kerry put her everything into this artwork for Billie and us,’ added Dan.
Armstrong is now offering a reward for Billie’s painting.
Dani and Dan informed their followers about the heist, in which $80,000 worth of painting were stolen, on Sunday.
‘This piece was extra special as 100% of its sale was to be donated to the NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit),’ the pair wrote in the shared Instagram post.
‘While the works are insured and the donation will still proceed, it doesn’t compensate for the loss of the artwork itself and the profound meaning it holds for us.’
Posting that the news of the loss was ‘unthinkable’, Dani added: ‘I honestly have no words.
‘It was meant to find a home with someone who truly loved it… instead, who knows where it will end up now.
She added, ‘A reward is being offered by Kerry Armstrong for information leading to the recovery of the work, so if you happen to spot this piece online or anywhere out in the world, please reach out to the police straight away.’
Channel Nine reported the heartless robbery on Sunday and shared CCTV footage of thieves removing six paintings from the walls of Armstrong’s gallery in Cheltenham. Pictured: A thief can be seen steals Billie’s painting, titled ‘I Am Love’
Dani and Dan shared an update with followers on Sunday, in the wake of the heist, in which $80,000 worth of artwork was stolen. (Both pictured)
Dani included a photo of herself posing beside the painting.
The post received many messages of support from the couple’s followers
‘Such a beautiful painting, and cause, I really hope you find it,’ commented one, while another added, ‘This is so very upsetting and disappointing- praying this precious artwork is found.’
A third follower added, ‘So, so sorry.’
Dan and Danni first revealed the artwork dedicated to their daughter in April.
Sale of the painting was intended to raise funds for Billie’s Besties Fund, a pool of money that 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.
Speaking of the artwork, the artist revealed 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,’ Armstrong said.
The couple said that the donation will still go ahead and that the stolen artwork is insured – with the artist offering a reward for its return.
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.
‘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.’
Dan has since taken on a role as foreman on The Block and they also host the Dan vs Dani series, critiquing each team’s Room Reveals every week. Pictured: The couple tied the knot in 2018 in an intimate ceremony on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula
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).’
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.
