EXCLUSIVE: Renfrewshire man heartbroken after sectarian abuse graffitied on community building

A Renfrewshire man has been left devastated after vandals defaced a building he has spent years restoring for community use.

Robert Mcleish has been working tirelessly since 2017 to run the Lochwinnoch Community Annexe and bring it back into use after it was set to be closed down.

However, the project has suffered a major setback after violent sectarian graffiti was spray-painted across the site.

The building, which was already in need of extensive repairs, now faces additional costs to remove the offensive vandalism.#

'Vital resource'

The hub was set to shut down in August this year, with the team citing "the ongoing rise in operating costs and the need to replace the heating system", which had become financially unfeasible.

However, Robert has now started the process of a community asset transfer and has been fundraising to bring the building back up to standard and stop the impending closure.

Mr. Mcleish had hoped the space would continue to serve as a vital resource for local groups and events, as it has done for the last decade, but this latest attack has left him disheartened.

'I broke down and cried'

Speaking about the incident, he said: “Over the years, I’ve poured my heart and soul into maintaining the building, ensuring it remains a safe and welcoming environment for both adults and children.

"It’s been home to a variety of local groups, offering everything from after-school activities for kids to community events for adults.

"I got sent the picture of the graffiti by a local user and I didn't believe it at first and I thought it was photoshopped.

"I broke down and cried for 20 minutes in the Tesco carpark.

"I was genuinely gutted because of the amount of time effort, literal blood, sweat and tears, just for someone to come along and do that.

"Part of the graffiti is very sectarian, which makes it a hate crime.

"That worries me, and it'll be extremely off-putting to people who want to come and visit."

Appealing for donations

Despite the setback, Mr Mcleish remains determined to continue the restoration.

He is now appealing for donations to help fund the clean-up and ongoing repairs, urging the community to come together to support the project.

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