Family of a young Fife man who died suddenly have been left heart broken after vandals set fire to a memorial bench erected in his honour.
Ross McAndrew, from Glenrothes, passed away unexpectedly on November 8 2015, and those who knew him raised money to create a lasting tribute to the popular 19-year-old in a picturesque spot at Coul Reservoir.
But ahead of what should have been Ross’ 22nd birthday on Monday, his mother Audrey was shocked and dismayed to find the bench burnt to the ground when she visited the site on Saturday.
Audrey had been with her two-year-old grandson Finlay – Ross’ son – at the time.
“We are really struggling to try to understand how anyone can carry out this act of vandalism knowing the reason for the bench,” Ross’ dad Allan told The Courier.
“There were plaques on the bench which made clear it was put there by his friends and family as a memorial.
“We are not sure whether we should replace it now and expose ourselves to the possibility of the same thing happening again.
“It is sad that the thoughtless acts of these individuals has taken away the joy we get when we visit the bench.”
Despite an extensive post-mortem, the cause of Ross’ death was never ascertained.
In the years that followed though, the bench was a place of quiet contemplation for Ross’ friends and family.
“We decided to have it placed at a beautiful spot close to our house overlooking the Reservoir and looking up towards Falkland Hill,” Allan continued.
“We walk there regularly and Ross used to play there as a boy.
“Audrey had decided to walk up to the bench on Saturday with our grandson and was devastated when she saw what had happened.
“We are overwhelmed by the amount of messages of sympathy and support that we have received over the past few days and this has been helpful in reminding us how many good people are out there and that hopefully these sad individuals are a small minority.”
Ross’s son was born after his death and his partner took to social media to condemn the “truly disgusting” fire-raising act, saying it had left her heartbroken.
“My two-year-old son already has to grow up without his father, to have this taken away from him for the sake of an act of careless vandalism is something I cannot forgive,” she said.
Anyone who may have any information about the fire-raising incident should contact Police Scotland on 101.
