WHY RIDE?
Discover the stories behind Ride 4 Bella and see how your support is making a meaningful difference.
Awareness of SMA is needed within Victoria and Australia wide.
Being apart of Move 4 Bella you will be raising awareness and funds for this horrible condition. So many families around Australia are affected by SMA and other rare genetic conditions. The funds raised will go to supporting these families and preventing other families from having to suffer.
Bella was taken from us just on the 18th May from this horrible disease. SMA is the biggest genetic killer of babies under 2 years old. In total we had only 20 days with her, so please go make your days count. Life is short, you have a purpose and the capability to do anything.
SMA is a neuromuscular disorder, similar in its effect to motor neuron disease in adults, which results in the loss of motor neurons — the nerves in the brain stem and spinal cord that control muscle activity such as breathing, swallowing, speaking and movement. Deterioration of motor neurons causes muscles to weaken and waste away leading to atrophy.
DID YOU KNOW?
1 IN 20
CHILDREN
face a birth defect or genetic disease, like cancer, cystic fibrosis and SMA.
1 IN 35
PEOPLE
are carriers of SMA gene.
EMMA'S STORY
KIDS Foundation Ambassador and Move 4 Bella founder, Emma Tuddenham, shares the heartfelt story behind her daughter Bella's journey and the inspiration for this powerful fundraising campaign.
Move 4 Bella raises vital funds for children living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), supports groundbreaking SMA gene research, and helps children and families attend life-changing KIDS Foundation camps.
ABOUT BELLA KIDS
4 Bella was established in 2021 by her family to honour the short but deeply meaningful life of Bella Margie Gwen Tuddenham.
Bella was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic condition that affects the nerves controlling muscle movement.
At 3:33pm on 28 April 2021, a beautiful little angel entered the world. Just weeks later, at 11:11am on 18 May 2021, Bella gently spread her wings.
Although Bella’s time here was heartbreakingly brief, the love she brought into the world continues to shine brightly. Her legacy has inspired a mission of hope, strength and change, now carried forward through the KIDS Foundation’s Bella KIDS initiative.
Bella KIDS is dedicated to helping children living with SMA and other disabling health conditions to thrive. While Bella may no longer be in our arms, she remains forever in our hearts, guiding a community that moves forward with purpose, compassion and love.
Through the Bella KIDS initiative, the program supports children and families by:
- Providing vital support and equipment for children living with SMA and other rare, disabling health conditions.
- Backing critical research, contributing to SMA and gene therapy advancements that offer hope for better treatments and future cures.
- Creating unforgettable experiences, helping children and families attend KIDS Camps where they celebrate their abilities, build friendships, and share moments of joy, connection and laughter.
- Personalised, education, support and care programs, empowering children to explore opportunities and develop new skills.
Bella’s legacy reminds us that even the smallest life can leave the most powerful and lasting impact.
FIND OUT MORE
If you would like to know more, please contact Erynne Trotter – Recovery Team at the KIDS Foundation.
WHERE DOES MY MONEY GO?
All of the money you raise as part of RIDE 4 BELLA goes directly to helping families and children with SMA and other rare genetic conditions.
BELLA KIDS
The Bella KIDS initiative supports children and families by:
• Providing vital support and equipment for children living with SMA and other rare health conditions.
• Backing critical research into SMA and gene therapy to advance treatments and future cures.
• Creating unforgettable experiences through KIDS Camps, building friendship, connection and joy.
• Providing personalised education, support and care to help children build skills and explore opportunities.
UNSW MEDICAL RESEARCH
Michelle Farrar is the number one researcher in Australia for SMA. Michelle is responsible for getting SMA trialled on the newborn screening test in NSW/ACT, and responsible for Australia being apart of the world gene therapy trial. She continues research into children's genetic diseases. current research, birth defects, neurological and gene therapy to treat genetic diseases.
SMA AUSTRALIA
To provide special donations to children with rare genetics diseases.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Australia Is providing Australians living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and their families with best practice information care options, resources and choices for themselves or their children, when living with the condition.
