A COUPLE are one step closer to opening a multi-million pound disability day centre in memory of their daughter after raising their first £100k in funds.

The latest milestone for Racheal and Ian Scott-Hunter’s dream to open the Alexandra House in Bicester comes after they joined forces with friend Corinne Cunningham selling face masks during lockdown.

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Mrs Cunningham and her husband Neil own Busy Needle, a curtain and blind business near Bicester. Using spare material, they decided to make and sell face masks, raising money for the Alexandra House of Joy (AHoJ).

After selling at the Post Office in West-on-the-Green, demand grew and more volunteers got onboard with people all around the country now buying them.

Oxford Mail:

Mrs Scott-Hunter said: “It has been a very difficult time during these very challenging and concerning months since the announcement of Covid 19.

“So having no more opportunities to run stalls, events and other ways of fundraising, we have been exceptionally grateful to Corinne, her family, and our wonderful volunteers, and to members of the public who have all supported us and encouraged us recently.

“We are therefore absolutely thrilled that we have reached our very first 100k. It is a wonderful accomplishment for 18 months of hard work, so we are extremely thankful and immensely appreciative for every single person that believes in us and helps push us on towards our Mount Everest goal.”

ALSO READ: Bicester disability day centre edges closer

Since Ms Cunningham began, more than 2,000 masks have been made and £4,000 raised.

She said: "After a few hiccups we have built up a team of wonderful people. My masks have always been three layers and passed most tests therefore making them safer than some available. I don't think anyone could have foreseen how successful it would become."

Oxford Mail:

AHoJ aims to provide a place for adults with learning difficulties. It follows Mr and Mrs Scott-Hunter’s own experience with their daughter Alexandra who had severe learning difficulties and passed away last year.

The couple have also helped homelessness charity, The Gatehouse, in Oxford by supplying it with 100 masks to give to homeless people.