Grieving woman ‘cannot forgive’ bench vandals

Reservoir memorial to young Fife man is found destroyed

Vandals have torched a memorial bench erected in tribute to a young Fife man – just days before what would have been his 22nd birthday.

Family and friends of Ross McAndrew have spoken of their shock and disbelief after discovering the burnt out remains of the seat which was put up near Coul Reservoir in his honour.

Ross, whose birthday would have been yesterday, passed away on November 8 2015, and sadly never got to see his son Finlay, who is now two, grow up.

Finlay’s mum, Sophie Denwette, said she hoped the bench would be a place of comfort for her and Ross’ son growing up.

“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 added.

The family of a young Fife man who died suddenly have been left heartbroken after vandals set fire to a bench erected in his memory.

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.

Before what would have been Ross’ 22nd birthday yesterday, his dismayed mother Audrey found the bench burned to the ground when she visited the site.

Audrey had been with her two-yearold grandson Finlay – the son of Ross – at the time.

Ross’ father, Allan, said: “We are really struggling to try to understand how anyone can carry out this act of vandalism, knowing the reason for the bench.

“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 act of these individuals has taken away the joy we get when we visit the bench.”

Despite an extensive post-mortem examination, the cause of Ross’ death was never ascertained.

In the years that followed, the bench was a place of quiet contemplation for his 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 said.

“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.”

Unbeknown to Ross, his girlfriend Sophie Denwette had been pregnant with their son when he passed away.

She took to social media to condemn the “truly disgusting” fire-raising act, adding: “Words cannot express how heartbroken I am.

“We together raised the money to place this bench as a way to remember Ross and to have that taken away from everyone is devastating.

“Finlay has often gone to his ‘daddy’s bench’ with his granny and grandad, and I had hoped it was a place that as he grew up he would be able to feel a sense of comfort.

“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.

“The only blessing is that Finlay is still too young to understand all of this, because I know he too would be heartbroken like the rest of us.”

Anyone who may have any information about the fire-raising incident should contact Police Scotland on 101.

Words cannot express how heartbroken I am... The only blessing is Finlay is too young to understand this. SOPHIE DENWETTE

There is never any excuse for vandalism, but some examples are particularly hard to bear. The family of young Ross McAndrew were devastated when he died suddenly in 2015.

Those who knew him quickly rallied round and, eventually, a memorial bench was erected near to a place he played when he was young.

It was only a small gesture, but it has doubtless brought his nearest and dearest much comfort over the years by providing somewhere they can feel close to him.

The time around the birthday of a lost loved one is always particularly difficult, but the memorial was this week once again set to provide a valuable focal point for the family.

Sadly, cruel criminals have denied them even this small comfort.

Often acts of vandalism are little more than moronic, causing inconvenience but no real emotional hardship. This is no such case.

Burning the memorial bench has hurt Andrew’s family in ways many of us cannot even imagine.

Not surprisingly, his loved ones are struggling to forgive those responsible.

It is to be hoped that, by bravely speaking out about the case, they encourage anyone with information to come forward.

Those responsible must be made to face the consequences of their actions.

Ross, the bench, and, left, all that remains after the fire.