Community & Business
27 April, 2026
Community unites to deliver cuddle bed for Pittsworth
The community came together on Friday with The Belinda McGowan Foundation to present a cuddle bed worth over $20,000 to Pittsworth's aged care facility, Beauaraba Living.
Amelia Simpkins of The Belinda McGowan Foundation highlighted the community’s dedication and generosity in making this cuddle bed available to the people of Pittsworth.
“We are here to witness, the power of a community that looks after its own, and honours a legacy of a love that began with a remarkable woman,” Ms Simpkins said.
Formally established in 2023, The Belinda McGowan Foundation is a tribute to the late Belinda McGowan who served with the royal Australian airforce for nearly 33 years.
“She was a woman of immense courage, a trait she carried through her 11 month battle with cancer,” Ms Simpkins said.
“It was Belinda’s personal wish that rural and remote communities like this one, should have access to a cuddle bed.
“This concept was born out of a moment of profound human need.”
Ms Simpkins explained that as Belinda transitioned to end-of-life care, she and her husband Bruce experienced first hand the limitations of standard medical equipment.
“The very beds designed to heal often became barriers that prevented patients and their loved ones from being close together.
“The story of the cuddle bed is quite simply a love story.
“Our aim at the foundation is to ensure that every family, regardless of their postcode, has the same opportunity to provide comfort and physical closeness during such an emotional time.
“To the community - it is only through your generosity and tireless fundraising that we are here today.
“By bringing this bed to your aged care facility... you’ve ensured that the moments when words are not enough, a cuddle can say everything... may it bring peace, dignity and most importantly love, to all who need it,” Ms Simpkins said.
Fundraising for the cuddle bed kicked into high gear last year after the foundation donated a syringe driver worth $4000 to Beauaraba Living.
What began as a generous $10,000 contribution from the Pittsworth and District Campdraft Association Inc. quickly expanded to a broader, community-led effort including an additional donation from the Pittsworth Women's Shed.
Beauaraba Living CEO, Bradley Jones, said the initiative represented the very essence of community care.
“A cuddle bed is so much more than a piece of equipment,” he said.
“It gives residents and their loved ones the opportunity to be close, to lie side-by-side, hold hands, and share meaningful moments together, particularly during end-of-life care.
“Community working together can achieve anything.
“We’re a team, we have an amazing group of people here, each and every day, with amazing levels of care,” Mr Jones said.
Representatives of the Pittsworth and District Campdraft Association Inc., Barry and Debbie Standing, said since the campdraft started in 2009, the association has been able to donate more than $400,000 to various causes.
“We’re very proud to donate toward the cuddle bed but we can only do that because of our fantastic donors,” Mr Standing said.
He also thanked electrician Jamie Faux, for his generous donation of $25,000 toward the lighting upgrade at the Showgrounds.
“We are so proud to be Pittsworth-ians, and we are proud of everybody in this town and district,” Mrs Standing said.
In addition to their financial contribution, the Pittsworth Women’s Shed has helped make the cuddle bed feel more like home by creating quilts and pillows to brighten the space for those using it.
A number of dignitaries were in attendance on Friday including Pat Weir, Member for Condamine; Toowoomba Region Councillors Trevor Manteufel, Melissa Taylor and Carol Taylor; founder of The Belinda McGowan Foundation Bruce McGowan; and patron of The Belinda McGowan Foundation Tom Bryant.
A special guest was Beauaraba Living resident Margaret Penfold, who was a friend of Belinda McGowan’s mother and grandmother.
Wayne Saal, Beauaraba Living Board Chair, said the facility wouldn’t be what it is today without the support of their staff and the community.
“The cuddle bed will be another example of what we can offer to people,” he said.
The facility’s biggest challenge is finding enough space to accommodate everyone, as Mr Saal said Beauaraba Living is currently operating at full capacity.
All cuddle bed presentations are attended by Returned Services League (R.S.L.) representatives, and each bed is honoured with the recitation of The Ode of Remembrance.
President of the R.S.L. Western District, Dennis Pollard, had the honour of doing this on Friday.
A poppy was placed on either side of the cuddle bed.
Mr Pollard said he sees those who will use the cuddle bed as fighting their own battle, one he believes
is even greater than that of the First World War.
“I believe it’s an honour and a privilege to lay a poppy in memory of those people,” Mr Pollard said.
The project was made possible thanks to the generosity and collaboration of the Pittsworth and District Campdraft Association Inc. and its sponsors, Pittsworth Women’s Shed, the dedicated staff, management and Ladies’ Auxiliary at Beauaraba Living, and the wider Pittsworth community.
A special thanks was extended to Pat Weir MP for his support in bringing this initiative to fruition.
It was after attending the cuddle bed presentation in Oakey, that Mr Weir decided he wanted to be involved and know more about The Belinda McGowan Foundation.
Mr Weir’s mother lived at Beauaraba Living for two years, and the facility managed her palliative and end-of-life care during that time.
“They [Beauraba Living] were absolutely amazing every step of the way,” Mr Weir said.
When he heard about the impact of the cuddle beds on those nearing end-of-life, he knew it was something he could get behind.
“That last time is special, and the closer you can be, the more special it is.”
This was The Belinda McGowan Foundation’s 22nd cuddle bed presentation.
The project stands as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together, not just to give but to care.
A well known quote was recited on the day, attributed to Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
