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Ickle Pickles' London Incubator Ball raises over 80k
Fundraising Event
Held on the 10th of March 2023 at the renowned Stationer's Hall in London, the annual fundraiser ball was attended by 150 guests. The glamorous black-tie event was hosted by Master of Ceremonies Ross Sullivan and saw guests and neonatal nurses rally to raise over £80,000.
All funds raised are in support of Ickle Pickles’ and the current appeal for a CritiCool Mini Control Unit. This equipment is vital to save newborn babies suffering from neurological conditions such as Neonatal Encephalopathy which is incredibly dangerous. Not every hospital is equipped to deal with these conditions by cooling the babies to prevent brain damage. CritiCool Mini Machines enable the Neonatal Transport Teams to cool and stabilise the babies in their care during the transfer to a specialised hospital for treatment. The device can also be used to warm premature babies that may need transferring to another hospital.
Dr Nandiran Ratnavel, Director of the London Neonatal Transfer Service, championed the importance of Neonatal Transport Teams in the neonatal treatment system to help vulnerable babies at such a critical time in their lives.
Also in attendance were several Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses. Diana, NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) nurse at Kings College University Hospital said:
„Thank you for a great night. What a great job you all do at Ickle Pickles, to support so many parents and NICUs and Neonatal Transport Services! I’m sure you’re all very proud of the results of your hard work. It was amazing watching the fundraising last night and funding a cooling medical device for the Neonatal Transport Team. Ickle Pickles does help to make a difference to the care we are able to deliver to our little ones. Thank you, and to Laura and Neil Brown, for the opportunity to be part of it last night!“
Rachael Marsh, Ickle Pickles’ co-founder, said: „It was a record-breaking evening and every pound raised will help to give every newborn a fighting chance. Our glamorous guests and supporters put their heart and soul into supporting Ickle Pickles. We cannot thank each and every one enough for their contributions and for making this year’s Incubator Ball our biggest one yet.“
The fundraising activities included an exclusive silent auction with the top prize of a week away in a New Forest Mansion. Guests also took part in an Incubator Prize Draw with over 60 prizes with some incredible treasures - all donated by generous individuals and businesses.
The Ickle Pickles Children's Charity was delighted to entertain guests with live music by the fantastic Violeta Vicci on violin and the very funky Groove Zoo band concluding a brilliant night with dancing and drinks.
The event was such a huge success that the charity will be hosting its first Portsmouth Incubator Ball on the 18th of November 2023 with ticket sales going live soon.
Special thanks to headline sponsor Rothesay and Welcome Drinks sponsor Liontrust. Additional thanks to all Ickle Pickles’ volunteers, Charlie Round-Turner who photographed the evening beautifully, Ross Sullivan for MCing the night and printers DCS London.
If you couldn't attend you can still donate to Ickle Pickles here.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our generous supporters who donated prizes for the Incubator Prize Draw and silent auction:
Banana Cabaret and The Bedford Pub
