Sopwell Community Trust starts 2022 with a running start, with a 5km sponsored Fun Run for Dads, raising over £1,900 for the new Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre.

The event, oraganised by by Naz Uddin and volunteers from Sopwell Community Trust, was the first of the Cottonmill Centre fundraising projects to help cover building costs for the centre, which is due to be completed in April.

Naz, Chair of the the SCT and also sits on the Cottonmill Centre Fundraising Group, said: “The Fun Run was a great success. I’d like to thank everyone who helped organise the event, and all the runners and sponsors for helping to raise these much-needed funds for this brilliant new centre, which will be a focal point in Sopwell.”

Members of the Bangladeshi and Muslim community were amongst the runners raising money for the much needed community Hub. Runners included monir ali Group scout leader for the 20th St Albans Ansar Scouts, and Syed Hussain from the St Albans Wacky Racers. Runners were also joined by Cllr Danny Clare and Cllr Sarwar Shamsher who said: “It was a great way to get fit for 2022! The new centre is going to be a tremendous boost for Sopwell residents, and the cycling facilities will benefit cyclists and aspiring cyclists across St Albans.”

Monir Ali, GSL of the 20th St Albans Ansar Socuts said “The old Marlbrough Pavillion has been the home of the 20th St Albans Scouts for the last three years, and its important to us to be able to support our community and to ensure that our young people have a place to continue to do scouting in a modern and revitalized venue. We are looking forward to coming back home.”

The Cottonmill Centre Community Crowdfunder also raised over £18,000 in eight weeks, with numerous local businesses contributing rewards including The Lower Red Lion, Sopwell House, La Cosa Nostra, Tavah, Cellar Door Wines, Cobbled Kitchen and Jefferson Crafts.

Michelle Mackenzie, chair of the Cottonmill and Sopwell Hub campaign said: “Because of a late unexpected increase in building costs, we need to raise £79,000 before 31st March. We are now asking local businesses to come forward with donations to name one of the rooms in the centre, or to get recognition on the main Honours Board.”

Businesses interested in making a large donation are asked to see cottonmillandsopwellhub.org or to email funding@cottonmillandsopwellhub.org