Let’s do something about it!

Product Description

Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Supporters

As many of you know*, our daughter Heidi suffered a HIE (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy) event shortly after birth. This meant her brain was depreived of oxygen. Now babies can go for quite a few minutes without oxygen and not have any issues, but for some, the length of time is too long and it can cause injury to the brain. This can range from mild (Grade I) to severe (Grade III).

It’s estimated that HIE affects 5 in every 1000 babies, yet when you speak to people, not many people seem to have to have heard of it.

*If you don’t and you want to read about our journey, you can find it at www.hiejourney.wordpress.com

To the best of our knowlegde (and we’ve been in this HIE world for 3 years now) there isn’t a dedicated charity in the UK to help support parents, which is vital in those early days where so much is unknown. There’s also little awareness of HIE. This often leaves parents feeling isolated, especially as in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU’s) so many babies are premature, and often HIE affects those who are full term.

So, we want to make a difference. We have always tried to give something back and show our gratitude along the way – from raising money for NICU, to donating gifts to the Children’s Unit, to sponsoring a room at Ronald McDonald House. The support from our “army” in helping us do this has been immense.

We now want to take the next step and try and set something up that’s more specific support for those affected by HIE. Our vision is to begin by creating an info pack for new parents who suddenly find themselve on a very different path to what they may have been expecting. NICU can be a scary place and we want to let them know that they aren’t on their own. We also want to be able to provide access to a counsellor for them, if they feel it would be beneficial, as well as access to peer support and regular meet-ups. Of course we understand that everyone’s journey is different, but hopefully we can be there to help if/when needed.

Further down the line it would be fantastic to help fund much needed equipment, but we’ll take things one step at a time!

To be in a position to launch a charity, and to do it properly, we anticipate that £1000 will be needed. This will go towards, in the main, printing material and putting the parent packs together, as well as setting up a fund for counselling, so that the service can be available quickly if needed. It will also go towards some material to share with local NICUs (and further afield if possible), to help raise awareness of HIE, and if there is enough to go round, we’re looking to set up a webpage so that there is an online presence. Lots of research has already been taking place in the background, and lots of ideas are just waiting to happen!

It always feels a bit awkward to ask for money, especially when people have been so generous already. We feel so strongly about making this work, and believe there is such a need for it though. To show our commitment, we will match every £1 donated, up to £500.

We really couldn’t do this without you (well, unless we had a lottery win!). All supporters will be thanked on our Facebook page as well as on our webpage (if/when set up, which we’ll work hard to make sure happens). There are also plans to throw a Charity Ball in 2019, and if all goes ahead then supports will receive a special offer on the tickets. Watch this space!

Of course the £££s are needed, but encouragement and involvement are also most welcome. If you’d like to find out more about our plans, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Niamh O’Neill

7 years ago

£10

Sue Moore

7 years ago

£10

Paul Quirk

7 years ago

£10

Stephanie Miller

7 years ago

£10

Zoe Taylor

7 years ago

£5

Katie Smith

7 years ago

£25

lisa candlin

7 years ago

£10

Ceri Eagling

7 years ago

£5

Anonymous

7 years ago

£200

Dawn Bennett-Painter

7 years ago

£5

Dawn Bailey

7 years ago

£25

Louise Jones

7 years ago

£10

Gill Hester

7 years ago

£20

Amanda Howard

7 years ago

£25

Anna Patra

7 years ago

£25

Sarah Barnes Craig

7 years ago

£20

Pat KELLY

7 years ago

£5

Caroline Mattinson

7 years ago

£5

Nadine Lewis

7 years ago

£25

Sarah Dunn

7 years ago

£10

Sarah Land

Thank you all so much!!☀️

7 years ago

Zoe Taylor

Lots of love the Taylor’s

7 years ago

Katie Smith

Good Luck Heidi, I am happy to help you. Love your little friend Henry and family xxx

7 years ago

Sarah Land

Wow!! Thank you so much Henry and @Katie Smith – that’s fantastic and very much appreciated. Happy that you’re going to be part of this plan…your pics are bound to make people smile!!x

7 years ago

Ceri Eagling

Well done Heidi, Sarah and Steve! A great initiative. Good luck with the charity. Ceri (PSP)

7 years ago

Amanda Howard

Best of luck x x x

7 years ago

Dawn Bailey

Well done Sarah & Steve on getting the charity up and running. I am sure you will make a difference and help others who find themselves in the HIE world xxx

7 years ago

Sarah Land

Thank you all so much! ☀️

7 years ago

Caroline Mattinson

Good luck Sarah Cx

7 years ago

Sarah Land

M@Caroline Mattinson

7 years ago

Sarah Land

Thank you so much!x

7 years ago

Josie Elson

Exciting to be part of this great new charity!! Good luck Sarah and Steve xxxx

7 years ago

Sarah Land

Thanks @Josie Elson

7 years ago

Steve Land

£0

Sarah Land

Steve Land