PARENTS have banded round to raise thousands of pounds for a North Baddesley school after it was “mindlessly” vandalised.

Having seen the £2,000 worth of damage done to the windows and doors of North Baddesley Infant School, parents and others in the community decided to launch a fundraising page to raise the cash, instead of it having to come out of the school’s budget.

Head teacher of the school for the last three years, Carla Lashmar, said she was “humbled”, while Baddesley councillor Alan Dowden said he was “appalled” at the vandalism. Last year, copper roofing was also stolen from the same school.

Around £3,000 has been raised, with Mrs Lashmar saying that any extra money will go towards more CCTV.

Cllr Dowden said: “It is mindless vandalism that only harms the community that I’d imagine these people live within.

“As a councillor, hearing that parents have come together makes me very proud indeed. It is not right that this money should have to come from the school budget, it is needed to educate our children.

“It seems from the damage that this was a sustained attack, and it was an attack on our school.”

The school’s CCTV has captured people near to the school at the time of the incident.

Head teacher Carla Lashmar said: “I am so humbled. I first heard about it when I had an email towards the end of the day asking what I thought from parents. We sent out a letter to parents beforehand to inform them that we were working with the police and to see if anyone knew who had done this. It was never our intention, nor our expectation, that they would turn round and say they wanted to raise money for us. We are so overwhelmed and grateful.

“Any extra money raised will go towards more, and improved, CCTV.”

A new school hall still under construction was also targeted. The school said that due to the broken doors, combined with other factors, meant it wouldn’t now be ready until September. It had been hoped it would open before the end of the school year.

A parent at the school said: “No-body asked us to do this, but we feel it’s right that we to do all we can to help this lovely community school.”

Hampshire Constabulary said in a statement: “We are investigating a criminal damage incident that took place at North Baddesley Infant School.

“Between 6.15pm on Saturday 5 May and 6.55am on Tuesday 8 May, windows were smashed and damage was caused to doors on the site.

“Enquiries are ongoing.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting 44180169300.”