Tragically on 19 January 2022, Bella Canfield was struck by a car close to her home in Salisbury West and passed away at just 18 years old.
Bella was a beautiful girl inside and out with an infectious laugh and an unforgettable smile. She had so much life to live and had just been accepted into Gellong Uni to follow her dreams of becoming a nurse.
All those that knew Bella adored her, but she was most beloved by the devastated family she leaves behind: Her parents Linda and Leigh and her three cherished sisters, Portia, Neve and Ava. Beyond the impact to her close family, the loss of Bella is felt by countless friends and extended familiy who all loved her and the joy she brought them.
To celebrate and honour the life that Bella lived, each January they hold a walk in her legacy: 'Follow the Sun - Walk for Bell' as well as other events throughout the year.
Our mission is to ensure that current and veteran professional fire fighters, police, ambulance and 000 operators and their families understand 'You're Never Alone.' This incredible donation will allow us to work with Integra Service Dogs Australia to deliver another assistance dog to a professional first responder living with PTSD.
Trent McKinnon, Commander, Fire Rescue Victoria, said: "Our first responders often face challenging scenes on a daily basis and we know that this can have an ongoing impact on their mental health and wellbeing. While there is a lot of work being done to reduce the risk, organisations like The Code 9 Foundation offer tangible peer to peer support.
"We are grateful that the Bell's Walk Committee has chosen to support the work of The Code 9 Foundation in supporting current and veteran staff and their families."
