A DRIVE to raise cash for a church targeted by vandals has received the backing of Barrow’s MP.

John Woodcock has pledged to help kickstart a fundraising campaign to help repair damage to St George’s, in St George’s Square, after it was twice attacked by vandals in the space of a week.

The cost of repairing damage to the building, which includes the smashed 160-year-old stained glass window and broken lightning conductor, is estimated to be in excess of £10,000.

Mr Woodcock met with members of the church Kerry and David Wodlén and Canon Gary Cregeen, the team rector for churches in south Barrow.

The MP said: “The damage people continue to inflict on this historic church is shameful and I want to do everything we can to help restore the wonderful stained glass that has been damaged and protect St George’s from further harm.

“It was great to meet Kerry and David Wodlén and with Reverend Gary Cregeen and talk about their determination to turn this distressing event into something positive.

“Let’s all support their drive to raise money in the community to help restore the damage and hopefully pay for CCTV to protect the church from future attacks.

“People like Kerry and David, who have no previous community activist experience but just want to make a difference, are exactly what we need in Barrow.

“They told me they got married in the church just last month and have been motivated to give something back after they heard about the damage.

“I am thrilled that they want to get involved with #TeamFurness – our new network of people who want to get involved to improve the community no matter what their party politics.

“This shows the true colours of the people of Barrow, and I am delighted to be able to help support them in their endeavour.”

While the team draw up plans for fundraising events, any member of the public who wishes to make a donation to help with the restoration of the church to can do so at St George’s School on School Street in Barrow.

The church, which was built between 1859 and 1861 at the request of Sir James Ramsden, was hit in two attacks by vandals earlier in the month.

It had recently been the subject of an ambitious fundraising campaign to improve the facilities and upgrade the heating system.

But all money raised will have to go into repairs to the church building

Church leaders said the window in the Grade II listed building would have to be similar to the original to stay in keeping the rest of the site.

Police have asked anyone with information contact them on 101 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.