Community rallies to restore Whittington Castle after graffiti attack
A community is rallying to raise £3,000 to restore Whittington Castle after it was vandalised with offensive graffiti.
Specialist experts need to be brought into repair the castle after it was sprayed with aerosol graffiti earlier this month.
A crowdfunding page has been launched in the hope of raising £3,000 to cover the costs of removing the paint and sympathetically restoring the ancient monument.
In just 24 hours, the page reached the halfway mark and more than 80 people have pledged money to restore the ancient monument which is run by a group of trustees.
It has been set up by Mick Thompkins, who lives in the village, and described the castle as an 'old friend in need'.
He said: "Just recently the castle has been vandalised by a group of mindless individuals that have no regard for other people's property or the community in which they live.
"The committee has warned there is not much more wiggle room financially and this could result in us losing this beautiful and unique building as an attraction for the area if there are any more issues.
Grateful
"Part of me truly thinks that we have a duty to give something back to these people and the castle for what it has delivered over the years."
The Tudor cottage was the worst hit and needs to be re-lime washed, according to castle manager, Sue Ellis.
She said: "I was thinking about setting up a page to raise money but Mick rang me to say he had already done it. He's going great guns at it which I'm really grateful for.
"The money will be spent on restoring parts of the castle which have been covered with graffiti. It has damaged the Tudor cottage which needs to be lime washed in a historic way. We can't just patch it up because it wouldn't look right."
If there is any money leftover, it will go towards other building projects, Sue added.
She added: "It's really great that everyone has come forward and supported the fundraising. So many people have rallied to support the castle. Whittington School is even doing a cake sale to raise money.
"I'm glad we're turning a negative into a positive."
To donate visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/help-whittington-castle
