Residents at The Moreton apartment complex are coming together for a morning of family fun and community activities, bringing hope for Hartley while raising awareness of a rare neurological disorder that affects just 1,500 people worldwide.
Baby Hartley Jayne Gunn, who lives at the Mirvac development on Wellington Street with her parents Jess and Steve and big brothers Reggie and Teddy, was diagnosed with CDKL5 deficiency disorder at just eight weeks old when seizures first began. Her family and neighbours are transforming the building’s landscaped courtyard into a hub of fundraising and awareness on Saturday, February 7.
The event runs from 10am to 12pm and will bring together Bondi families for food, drinks, live music, face painting and children’s entertainment. Residents registered through the TryBooking platform, though bookings have now closed for the community gathering.
A Devastating Diagnosis That Changes Everything
CDKL5 is one of the rarest and most severe genetic conditions, causing hard-to-control seizures that begin in infancy and can occur daily. Children with the disorder face severe developmental challenges, with many never learning to walk, talk or feed themselves independently. The condition also brings vision problems, scoliosis, low muscle tone, and breathing difficulties, often requiring lifelong 24-hour care.
There is currently no cure and no treatment for CDKL5.
Hartley was born on May 6, 2025, and her seizures started when she was just two months old. Since then, her family has watched their tiny daughter endure hospital stays and medical battles while showing remarkable resilience. Her parents describe her as pure light, love and courage wrapped into one tiny soul.
The family dreams of hearing Hartley’s voice demanding the world like her brothers do, and watching her toes dance in the sand on Bondi Beach.
Community Support Spans Beyond The Moreton
The family fun day represents immediate neighbourhood support, while a broader fundraising campaign has already raised more than $85,000 toward a $100,000 goal through GoFundMe. The Hope for Hartley campaign was organised by Anna Bender from nearby Tamarama, with all funds going directly toward Hartley’s medical care, therapies and CDKL5 research.
Hartley requires extensive physical, occupational and speech therapy, along with specialised medical equipment and ongoing hospital care. The financial burden on the family is immense as they work to give Hartley the best possible chance while continuing to build their life in Australia.
Beyond the February 7 event, community members can support the family through a raffle featuring prizes from local Bondi businesses including Slowhouse, Peaches Pilates and Nimbus. The raffle remains open to those who cannot attend the morning gathering.
Building a Future Surrounded by Possibilities
The Moreton’s courtyard, set among heritage Moreton Bay fig trees between Ocean Street and Wellington Street, provides a green setting for the fundraiser. The building’s communal gardens and outdoor entertainment areas have become gathering spots for the development’s families since it opened in stages from 2017.
Jess and Steve remain committed to giving all three of their children the very best chance in life. They want Hartley to grow up surrounded by possibilities rather than limitations, believing that with enough love, support and hope, she can achieve far more than medical expectations might suggest.
The family fun day and ongoing fundraising efforts reflect the tight-knit networks that define Bondi’s residential neighbourhoods, where apartment communities rally around families facing extraordinary challenges.
You can let the organisers know you’re coming by RSVPing here, or show your support by grabbing raffle tickets here.
Published 6-February-2026.
