ARMED with beads, big dreams, and a big heart, 11-year-old Hope Blythe of Hastings is making a significant impact in the fight against motor neurone disease (MND). Every year she makes and sells bracelets to raise money for MND awareness and vital research.
A passionate Collingwood supporter, she and her twin sister Olivia (Liv), and Mum Kimberley, who are both Melbourne supporters, and Dad always attend the Melbourne v Collingwood game for the “Big freeze at the G,” which will be held on 9 June for Big Freeze 11. For Hope, it’s not just the game and the atmosphere on the day but a “need to help find a cure for Neale”. For ten years, footy great Neale Daniher has inspired the nation with his unstoppable determination and fighting spirit in the battle against MND.
Hope’s goal this year was to make 250 bracelets, but she has so far topped 400, selling them across Australia. Every week she makes the trip to Bunnings Hastings where she sets up a stall, selling about 50 bracelets each weekend, with the Bunnings team being a great supporter of her.
Hope, a Crib Point Primary School student and the captain of the under 12 girls junior football team at Crib Point, has raised more than $2500 since she began making the bracelets since last year. Mum Kimberley said she was super proud, adding “with each donation and connection there is a story, and you can truly see the impact and the hope she has that she is making a difference”. “Hope doesn’t speak a great deal about everyday things and when Hope started this there was Liv there to speak for her but now get her talking about her boys, fight MND and her family she is unstoppable,” she said.
“She inspires and gives hope, if your child has a passion embrace it.”
While she is focussed on her creativity making a difference, Hope continues to be inspired by Neale’s courage and if given the chance to meet him, she would be honoured and would love to give him one of her bracelets. At the same time she would also cheekily request to have a go on the Big Freeze slide at the MCG, where celebrities brave icy water on game day. Until then, Hope is showing that anyone can make a difference, no matter what age.
First published in the Western Port News – 4 May 2025
