Benjamin and Alicia Hubatka fundraising to donate cuddle cot to Wagga Base Hospital

In July 2016, Benjamin and Alicia Hubatka made a tough decision when pregnant with their first child.

"We went in for the 20-week scan and it was discovered that she had spina bifida," Mr Hubatka said.

"It was pretty severe so we decided to terminate, the doctors told us she was incompatible with life."

The couple went straight to Wagga Base and their daughter, Isla, was born on July 24 and a cuddle cot was provided by the hospital.

"Our first-born daughter was born at 20 weeks gestation and passed away shortly after she was born," Mrs Hubatka said.

Mr Hubatka said a cuddle cot is a cooling system fitted into a small cot which allows babies who have passed away to stay with their family.

"It helped so much because we could keep her with us and our family could meet her," he said.

"A priest was able to come in and bless her as well," Mrs Hubatka said.

A few years later, the couple has a happy little girl Evelyn and are expecting another baby girl.

"I decided I wanted to do a fundraiser to get another cuddle cot for Wagga Base Hospital," Mrs Hubatka said.

"I mentioned it to my husband and when he got into his mountain bike riding he thought it would be a good way to raise some funds.

"We have had lots of friends and family donate, we had a charity garage sale back in March and we hope to have another one soon."

Mr Hubatka decided to start a challenge called April500.

"I aimed to complete 500 kilometres, which I did on Saturday," he said.

"I was doing eight kilometres before work so I was getting up before 4am and then doing some more after work.

"I was new to mountain bike riding, so I busted my knee and had surgery last night."

Mrs Hubatka said it is a traumatic time having to say goodbye to a baby.

"You don't want it to be over too quick either, you want to be able to say goodbye," Mr Hubatka said.

A new cuddle cot costs $6000 and the Hubatkas are halfway there.

"We hope to reach our goal by July 24, in celebration of Isla's birthday," she said.

Mr Hubatka has completed 28.4 hours of riding and a total vertical height of 5.6 kilometres and is keen to get back riding after he heals.

Donations can be made here.

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