A church in Barrow has received a much needed funding boost from the B&Q Foundation to help with renovations.

Abbey Road Baptist Church has been given £5,000 by the foundation in partnership with giving platform Neighbourly.

The money will help the church to reconfigure its two ground-floor toilets into four.

Reverend Martin Cooper from the church said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded a grant from the B&Q Foundation.

"This will enable us to further support our local community by upgrading our facilities."

Paul Crisp, trustee of the B&Q Foundation, said: “We believe everyone needs a place to feel at home so we’re putting our efforts behind local charities who share our vision – helping to create better, safer places for the people in our communities who need them most.

“Abbey Road Baptist Church perfectly embodies these values and it gives us all at the foundation great pleasure to support them.”

The church has provided a Baptist presence in Barrow-in-Furness for over 150 years and has played a continues role at the centre of the community.

They provide safe and welcoming spaces for people in the local area, including toddler groups, soup lunches and after-school clubs.

They also represent the home of Barrow Foodbank, meaning that the latest funding will help with that vital group's efforts.

The B&Q Foundation was established in 2020 to support UK charities with a combination of grants, volunteering time and home improvement resources.

So far, it has supported over 250 charities with grants totalling more than £1.3million.

Their partner, Neighbourly, is a community investment and engagement platform that connects businesses with over 18,000 local charities and good causes across the UK and Ireland.

It ensures delivery of volunteer time and that money and surplus products are tailored and targeted to support people and help build strong communities.

Such volunteer time was shown by B&Q staff in Barrow, who spent a day decorating the church.