Unite4Kids founders Ben and Kim Mead sell luxury Somerton Park home – realestate.com.au

An Adelaide couple who raised more than $1 million for seriously ill children are starting a new chapter, more than a decade after their daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.

Ben and Kim Mead, who founded Unite4Kids after daughter Holly was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia at the age of six, have put their luxury Somerton Park home on the market to start their “next phase of life”.

Ben Mead in front of his Somerton Park estate. Photo: Brett Hartwig

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The decision to sell comes as Holly, now 18 and in remission for the past eight years, celebrates reaching the end of Year 12 and the couple’s twin boys, Isaac and Charles, prepare to start their final year of school next year.

“We are scaling back a bit,” Mr Mead said.

‘We have a farm just outside Mount Compass and a house in Grange that is a little smaller.

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“For us, it’s about having a home that’s the right size for the next phase of our lives.”

The Meads have lived in their home at 76 Whyte Ave for the past seven years, with Mr Mead describing the timing of their purchase as ideal for his young family.

“We moved at the perfect time in our lives with our three children attending (nearby) Immanuel (College),” he said.

“Having a home in the western suburbs, close to the kids’ school and close to all their friends, was perfect for us.”

He’s raised piles of money for sick children and now Ben Mead is selling his house. Photo: Brett Hartwig

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The beautiful swimming pool. Delivered

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Unite4Kids, which hosts an annual gala lunch with The Advertiser Foundation, raises money for charities supporting seriously ill South Australian children, including the Childhood Cancer Association, Clown Doctors and The Starlight Children’s Foundation.

During Holly’s health problems, Mr Mead said the Somerton Park home had acted as a retreat, offering picturesque views of the ocean and hills.

“It has that resort feel to it, so it was actually lovely,” he said.

One of the luxurious bedrooms. Delivered

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The open kitchen, dining and living room. Delivered

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“It was a family home where you had space where you could all be together and enjoy each other’s company, but also plenty of space for Holly and our twin boys to spend time with their friends.

“Our house has been the place where everyone comes and for us it was great to have a place where the kids could bring their friends.”

The large, brick home is spread over two levels and has no fewer than six bedrooms, multiple living areas and a gourmet kitchen.

Mr. Mead in his backyard. Photo: Brett Hartwig

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The luxurious master suite. Delivered

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The glamorous bathroom. Delivered

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Near the backyard pool, a pool house functioned as a fully self-contained apartment, which had been a popular retreat for teenagers but could also serve as independent living space for multi-generational families, Mr Mead said.

A price list for the house, which sits on a 925-square-metre block a stone’s throw from Somerton Park’s waterfront, has not been released, but the benchmark for the suburb is $7.65 million, achieved from the sale of a four-bedroom house on the Esplanade in May.

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Selling agent Gena Nash of Toop+Toop said the Meads’ home had attracted many interested buyers.

“I would like to see it as a suburban record, but I’m not sure that will happen,” she said.

– by Lauren Ahwan