Building hope through play: Brea Brand’s fight against MND
For Brea Brand, her family’s journey with motor neurone disease (MND) sparked a mission to make a difference. As co-founder of the Australian magnetic tile brand CONNETIX, Brea aimed to use her brand’s reach to support a cause close to her heart. Recently, the brand launched its Limited-Edition Teal Charity Pack to raise funds for FightMND and honour her mum’s legacy.
Inspiring play from the ground up
A mum of three and an experienced primary school and Masters qualified early-educator, Brea established CONNETIX with co-founder Dave Alexander in 2019. Today, the brand is known across the world for its award-winning magnetic tiles inspiring creativity and learning through play.
From the beginning, Brea’s mum was one of the CONNETIX’s strongest supporters. “Mum was always full of laughter. She just loved to live life to the fullest,” Brea remembers. “From the start Mum was so proud of everything we have built at CONNETIX. She was our biggest fan.”
Facing a devastating diagnosis
Life changed when Brea learned of her mum’s MND diagnosis. “When I first learned that my mum had MND, I was completely devastated,” she says. Her understanding of the disease came largely through Neale Daniher’s journey and the FightMND Big Freeze, meaning she knew there was no cure.
Inspired by Neale’s strength, Brea held onto hope that her mum might still have many years ahead. Her mum was offered the opportunity to join a clinical trial and began treatment, but sadly, her condition progressed quickly. After an 18-month battle, she passed away.
Even before her diagnosis, Brea’s mum was a proud supporter of FightMND. “Every year she would purchase and model a Big Freeze Beanie, backing a cause she truly believed in,” recalls Brea.
Building hope one tile at a time
In honour of her mum and the many families impacted by MND, CONNETIX has released a Limited-Edition Teal Charity Pack. “Our new charity packs – teal for MND and pink for breast cancer – hold deep personal meaning for many of us at CONNETIX,” Brea explains.
Through this initiative, CONNETIX is donating 20 percent of proceeds directly to FightMND, helping fund vital research while raising awareness of the disease.
What this would mean to mum
For Brea, the FightMND charity pack is about legacy as much as it is about impact. “Mum would be incredibly proud, supportive and grateful of what we are striving to achieve through the charity packs and our support of FightMND,” she says. “She would see this initiative as a powerful way to honour her journey while helping others, knowing that every effort to raise awareness and funds brings us closer to a future free from MND.”
“Mum’s spirit of resilience and compassion would shine through in her support, reminding us why this cause matters so deeply.”
Reflecting on the deeper meaning behind the initiative, Brea shares, “The charity packs are more than products. They represent hope, awareness and the chance to make a real difference. Every purchase not only supports vital research through FightMND but also honours the families and individuals impacted by this disease.”
Hope for the future
For Brea, funding research into MND is essential. “My hope for the future of MND research is that we not only discover an effective treatment, but ultimately a cure,” she explains. “I want to see breakthroughs that uncover the cause of this disease, so families no longer have to endure the heartbreak it brings.”
“Every step forward in research offers hope. Hope for longer lives, improved quality of care and eventually a world where MND is no longer a devastating diagnosis,” Brea explains. “My hope is that this initiative inspires others to join us, so together we can move closer to a future free from MND.”
Get your Limited-Edition Teal Charity Pack today and join the fight
Start 2026 by joining the fight against MND. You can team up with Brea and CONNETIX to turn play into action. For every Limited-Edition Teal Charity Pack purchased, 20 percent of proceeds will go to FightMND, helping support essential research and programs for Australians living with MND.
View the Limited-Edition Teal Charity Pack on the CONNETIX website and help in the fight against MND.