HIE Awareness Day, established by Peeps, the UK’s only charity dedicated to families affected by hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), takes place each year on 4 April to raise awareness of this type of birth injury. HIE, sometimes referred to as asphyxia or birth asphyxia, occurs when a baby’s brain receives insufficient oxygen or blood flow before, during or shortly after labour.
The day is an opportunity to support families affected by HIE and to highlight the support available across the UK.
Peeps’ 2026 fundraising initiative: Pledge a Pony
This year, Peeps is encouraging people to take part in its Pledge a Pony initiative. The aim is to raise £25 in whatever way feels manageable. That might be a bake sale, a sponsored walk or roll, collecting spare change, or getting a team together to raise several ponies.
Stewarts will be running a bake sale in its London office in support of Peeps.
Katherine Fitter, partner, and Amy Goldman, associate, will also be taking on their own challenge – joining Peeps on Saturday 23 May in Manchester for a Marathon Canal Trek to raise as much as they can for the charity.
Stewarts’ free legal clinics
In support of families impacted by HIE, Stewarts is once again running a series of free legal clinics for Peeps families, taking place between 23 March and 12 April.
The clinics will be led by Anita Jewitt, head of medical negligence. Anita will offer confidential, one-to-one discussions for families seeking advice or wanting guidance on potential next steps.
Stewarts understands the challenges families face when a child has been injured at birth. Our team has extensive experience investigating and resolving birth injury claims, securing multi-million-pound settlements that offer long-term financial security and support.
Our priority is to help our clients lead full and active lives. Early access to specialist rehabilitation and treatment is central to this, and our in-house rehabilitation coordinators are available to advise and assist our clients. While our offices are in London and Leeds, we provide a national service and will always visit our clients in hospital, at their home or at any location that is convenient to them.
Pro bono advice
In addition to the support we provide to clients by pursuing compensation claims on their behalf, Stewarts is unique amongst serious injury law firms in having a dedicated Pro Bono (free of charge) team whose role is to support people who have sustained serious injuries or who are critically ill. They can advise on various legal issues including welfare benefits, financial issues, critical illness/personal accident/ill health insurance policies, employment and housing.
About Peeps
Peeps was founded in 2018 by parents Sarah and Steve Land after their daughter Heidi experienced HIE shortly after birth. The charity provides vital support including:
- Parent packs, posters and leaflets shared with Neonatal Intensive Care Units
- Mental health support through peer networks and trained counsellors
- Grants for specialist equipment
- A ‘coffee pot fund’ to support families during hospital stays.
There is currently no cure for HIE and outcomes can vary widely. Some children may be diagnosed with lifelong conditions such as cerebral palsy. Peeps works to raise awareness and provide practical and emotional support to families across the UK.
If you are a Peeps family and would like to attend one of the free legal clinics, please contact Anita Jewitt, to arrange a confidential discussion.
To learn more about Peeps and how to support its work, visit the website.
