Portsmouth’s Premier Charity Event: 28K Incubator Push
Mark your calendars for an extraordinary event in Portsmouth! On October 12th, the Mountbatten Centre Athletics Track will host the 28K Incubator Push challenge, a unique charity event designed to support premature and sick babies. This event is not just a fundraiser but a vibrant display of community spirit and heroism.
A Challenge Like No Other
Imagine a sea of participants, each pushing an incubator around the athletics track. This isn’t a scene from a film but a real-life challenge where tiny heroes are the focus. The 28K Incubator Push is a 28-kilometre challenge that brings together communities and hospitals from across the nation to raise essential funds for neonatal units. Every lap around the track helps to support these young fighters and sheds light on the hardships faced by families with babies in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).
Luna’s Inspiring Journey
Among the brave participants is six-year-old Luna, a true testament to resilience. Born prematurely along with her late brother Owen, Luna and her family are dedicated to supporting the neonatal unit that cared for Owen and saved Luna’s life. Luna’s mother, Lorraine Blackburn, who is both an organiser of the Incubator Push and a NICU parent, recounts her family’s journey: ‘Our son Owen was born at 26 weeks and, unfortunately, passed away at 12 weeks. Our daughter Luna also required neonatal care after being born at 34 weeks. We are passionate about supporting Ickle Pickles and helping other families navigate the neonatal journey.”
Luna’s father adds: “We know firsthand the challenges of the NICU experience. The care we received was extraordinary, and we are committed to fundraising to ensure other families receive the support they need. A NICU warrior never fights alone. We are all in this together!”
Making a Difference: Beyond Fundraising
The 28K Incubator Push is more than just a fundraising event; it’s a platform for raising awareness and improving neonatal care. “Since 2009, we have been dedicated to supporting neonatal care with life-saving equipment,” says Rachael, co-founder of Ickle Pickles and mother to a premature boy.
This creative fundraising initiative showcases our dedication to discovering novel methods for everyone to support the crucial fight for each child’s survival. Neonatal units rely on essential but costly equipment, including incubators, ventilators, oxygen, brain monitors, and feeding pumps. An incubator alone costs £28,000, and the average daily cost for neonatal care is around £2,000. Babies born between 28 and 31 weeks typically need an average of 44 days of care in a neonatal unit. With one in thirteen babies born prematurely each year in the UK, Ickle Pickles is dedicated to giving every newborn the best chance at life.
Join the Movement
The Ickle Pickles Charity invites hospitals, businesses, and communities to take part in their groundbreaking fundraising efforts. The 28K Incubator Push in Portsmouth on October 12th provides families and friends of neonatal patients an opportunity to support their local hospital units. Whether participating in the push, sponsoring the event, volunteering, donating, or sharing stories, every contribution makes a significant impact on the lives of these tiny fighters.
Get Involved
Be part of this epic fundraising adventure! Register for the challenge, receive your Ickle Pickles T-shirt, and show your support for neonatal units across the country. Every step, every lap, and every donation helps provide essential equipment and care for the most vulnerable newborns.
