A mother has said she was ‘horrified’ to discover that a bench dedicated to the memory of her son was destroyed by a fire as the family appeals to the public to help replace it.
Over the bank holiday weekend, the bench and picnic table in Trowbridge’s Queen Elizabeth II Field, was found to have been completely destroyed following a fire.
The bench had been dedicated to the memory of Max George, who tragically died after suffering a Type 1 diabetes-related heart attack in August 2022.
Thanks to a crowdfunding campaign launched by then-councillor Antonio Piazza on the family's behalf, Max’s mum and dad Tara and Kevin were able to raise well over £1,000 to provide benches.
Now, however, the bench is gone, following what has been branded an “act of callous vandalism”.
Max’s mum Tara described her “horror” at discovering what had happened to the bench, as well as the “love and anger” in the community following the incident.
Mrs George said: “I found out via my eldest son sending me a screenshot of a post on Facebook with a picture of the bench completely burned and he asked if it was Max's bench and it took me a while to reply because it broke me seeing that absolute horror.
“The bench has been burnt accidentally before and a small section replaced. But this is deliberate and I believe I know who is responsible.
A fundraiser has now been launched to raise money to replace the picnic table, which can be found here: https://gofund.me/8d21376ec
Mrs George continued: “This bench wasn't just a bench it was where we sat with Max as a family eating our picnic whilst he complained about the lack of a picnic table and after he passed the local community and even Redrow Homes (who donated £500) pulled together the cost of a bench so quickly that we extended it hopefully for a second bench and also smashed the target with the extra raised going to charity.
“There are people in this town who helped us so much with the loss of Max (especially by how quickly the benches were acquired) have no idea how much their donations and the kind words helped us heal.
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“I would like it to be replaced. As a picnic table it was almost always in use when we visited the park and it was very special to us all. The community's response is mixed with love and anger I have understandably seen a lot of angry responses. Whoever was responsible should just speak to the police as soon as possible.”
The incident has shocked many in the town, with both councillors and residents expressing their outrage at the incident.
A spokesperson for Trowbridge Town Council said: “Over the weekend, a memorial bench located at Queen Elizabeth Field, Wiltshire Drive was deliberately set on fire and completely destroyed.
“This senseless act of vandalism has caused significant damage and will be upsetting for those connected to the memorial and our wider community.
“If you witnessed anything suspicious in the area, or have any information that could assist the investigation, please report it to Wiltshire Police.
“Contact Wiltshire Police via 101 or report online. crime reference number 54260062466.”
Mr Piazza said: “I am saddened to share that one of Max George's memorial benches at the QEII Field was deliberately set on fire over the weekend and has been completely destroyed. Thankfully, the second bench was not damaged.”
Meanwhile, sharing a link to the GoFundMe including a photo of the remains of the bench, town councillor Stephen Cooper said: “This is all that remains of a bench and picnic table that was placed in the park on Wiltshire Drive in memory of a 13 year old child.
“Over the weekend, in an act of callous vandalism, it was set on fire and totally destroyed.”
Cllr Cooper urged anyone with information to get in touch with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Wiltshire Police has been contacted for more information on the incident.
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