Dad to Cover Over 100km Pushing a mOm Incubator to Raise Funds for Premature Babies

Mom Incubators Ltd (mOm) is proud to announce a collaboration with the Ickle Pickles Children’s charity to support a dedicated father taking on a 24-hour ‘Incubator Push’ challenge to raise awareness and funds for neonatal care in the run-up to World Prematurity Day.

The Wheels of Hope challenge will involve walking over 100km while pushing a mOm incubator mounted on a specially adapted running buggy. This incredible effort is being undertaken to raise vital funds for neonatal equipment across the UK, supporting some of the smallest and most vulnerable babies.

To make this possible, mOm has helped re-engineer a Thule running buggy to safely transport the mOm Incubator during the long-distance push. This unique project has also been generously supported by FRP (Full-Service Rapid Manufacturing), which manufactured custom components to modify the buggy.

James Roberts, CEO of mOm said, “This project reflects everything we stand for at mOm.” “We believe every baby deserves the best possible start in life, no matter where they are born or the circumstances they face. That’s why our incubators are designed to be used everywhere – from NHS hospitals to low-resource settings and even in crisis zones – offering advanced, reliable care wherever it’s needed.”

Designed with both practicality and compassion in mind, mOmo Incubators' technology also supports one of the most critical aspects of neonatal care – the connection between parents and their babies.

“We want to help families stay close, even in the toughest times,” added James.
“It’s those precious early moments of bonding that matter so much, and we’re proud to be part of a project that not only raises money but shines a light on the power of that connection.”

This sponsored push – part endurance feat, part awareness campaign – is set to take place in the lead-up to World Prematurity Day, held each year on November 17th to highlight the challenges faced by premature babies and their families, and the importance of life-saving neonatal equipment.

All funds raised will go directly to the Ickle Pickles, a charity that works tirelessly to support neonatal units across the UK by providing essential equipment that improves outcomes for babies born too soon, too small, or very poorly.

Rachael Marsh, co-founder and trustee of the Ickle Pickles Children’s charity, remarked: “At Ickle Pickles, we understand the profound impact that early life challenges can have on newborns and their families. Ollie's incredible endeavour to push an incubator over 106 km will connect neonatal units and deliver hope to the NICU community. His journey from Poole hospital to Southampton hospital and back to Bournemouth hospital symbolises the journey of many of our Ickle Pickles and his own son, Percy.”

Percy was born at 24 weeks and 6 days, weighing just 860 grams, and he finally came home after 140 days in NICU. The 24-hour timeframe represents the number of weeks Percy was born at, while the distance symbolises the number of days he was born early. 

Rachael added: “It is through the dedication of neonatal professionals and the availability of specialised equipment that miracles like Percy's are possible. We’re honoured that this unique charity challenge supports the Ickle Pickles and highlights the critical need for specialised neonatal equipment. 

We’re deeply grateful to individuals like Ollie, whose compassion and determination help us save tiny lives and provide vital resources to neonatal units. We are counting on your help to make a big difference to small babies and support families like Ollie’s.”

Join Ollie on his inspiring journey, follow him on Instagram @24hourIncubatorPush. Cheer him on at the start of the challenge at 10am on the 15th of November at Poole Hospital, or join him at the finale community lap at 10:00am on the 16th of November at Kings Park in Bournemouth. 

To support Wheels of Hope or learn more about the challenge, please visit: The Ickle Pickles: Wheels of Hope - 24hr Incubator push 2025

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