Family 'heartbroken' after mindless vandalism on father's memorial bench
Alan C Kennedy's memorial bench was destroyed in an act of vandalism in Belleisle Park
Last updated 7th Jun 2023
A South Ayrshire family have been left ‘heartbroken’ after a bench commissioned in memory their father was vandalised and destroyed.
After Stephen Kennedy’s father Alan tragically died in a car accident, the family had a memorial bench placed next to Belleisle Golf course in 2005, where Alan was a loved member of the club.
This week Stephen and his family were left in shock when they discovered the bench had been destroyed and left disregarded in the park.
The family have been informed the act of vandalism took place on Sunday between around 4pm and 6:30pm, after a member of the club spotted a group of youths in the distance near the 7th hole allegedly wrecking things.
Stephen is telling Greatest Hits Radio the impact it has had on the family.
He said: “My father was great, and did everything for me and my sister, and he’s greatly missed every single day. He was a longstanding member of the golf club and well known. People still reminisce with me there about him and say he was a fine gentlemen.
“My mum is heartbroken and so upset about it, as are me and my sister. We take our children there and are all regular visitors to bench.
“We’re just disgusted with this, I don’t know what goes through peoples heads. We don’t know if it’s repairable or not, but it’s not about money, it’s about how special it is.
“I would just like to thank everyone who’s gotten in touch about this and offered help. We’ll see if it is repairable and if not, we will have a new bench in memory to him.”
Stephen have logged the incident with the police and his asking anyone to get in touch if they have any information on who was responsible for the vandalism.
They can contact the police with information as well using the incident reference number - 20230604-3943.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On the evening of Sunday, 4 June, 2023, police received a report of vandalism to a memorial bench at Belleisle Park, Ayr. Enquiries are at an early stage.”