Singing for a cure HOLLIE'S HIT PYJAMA PARTY!

A family's plight struck a chord with the caring musician

- Cloe Willetts

When Kiwi singer-producer Hollie Smith stood on stage and sang a breathtaking rendition of her hit song Wonderful World three years ago, a young Mela McLeod danced behind her, unaware a blossoming friendship was unfolding.

During the gala dinner event for the charity Cure Kids, the talented duo bonded over their shared nerves at performing in front of a packed room. Today, they're closer than ever, with Hollie even stepping in as one of Mela's key supporters when she suffered a freak dancing accident in 2020, which left her unable to walk.

"After Mela had her accident, I was asked to send a video of support to her," recalls Auckland-based Hollie, 39, who is now part of a designer pyjama fundraiser for Cure Kids, dubbed Great Full Jams. "I thought, Stuff that', and went and saw her in person. I visited every day I could and became really close with the family.

"I have a lot of love for them and Mela's mum Tiff is one of the strongest people I've met. They're an amazing family unit and have been through a lot."

Mela's accident occurred when she fell during a dancing jump, damaging a major nerve in her back that caused immense pain. It also made the aspiring make-up artist, 16, jerk uncontrollably. But having returned to school and now regaining strength in her back, Mela's recovery has been another miracle for her family, which has already endured so much.