Runners show their class as Tilford event raises £10k for Elstead school

A running event has raised more than £10,000 for nursery improvements at a school in Elstead.

More than 100 runners pounded the lanes around Tilford on Bank Holiday Monday in a fundraiser for St James Elstead organised by the Mubarak Mosque community.

Runners of all ages gathered on Tilford village green for the annual event with plenty of impressive times being recorded in both the 5k and 10k events.

Some even finished the picturesque course in under 45 minutes with Oli, a parent and volunteer with the St James Primary School running club, coming third in the 10k.

“It’s been great to see so many people here,” said Oli, adding: “Everyone out there is giving their all and enjoying it.

“It feels like there’s a traditional village atmosphere.”

Two of the youngest fundraisers also made one of the biggest contributions as Rashiq and Raza Arif, aged 11 and seven, collectively raised £1,900.

More than 250 people attended with the races accompanied by food stalls, a cake sale, bouncy castle and family activities.

The event was organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, based at the Mubarak Mosque in Tilford, through its Mercy4Mankind charitable initiative, which supports charities and community causes across the UK.

St James headteacher Charlotte Fincken also completed the course alongside parents and members of the local community.

She said: “There was a real sense of belonging. It was lovely to be doing it with parents from the school and people from the community.

“These events, where we can all come together, work together and just enjoy each other’s company, are so important. We’re incredibly grateful.”

The money raised will help kick-start plans to improve the nursery facilities at St James, with a cheque due to be formally presented to the school at the Mubarak Mosque Community Dinner in November.