Family devastated after disposable barbecue burns through memorial bench on Otley Chevin

A Leeds woman has slammed "disrespectful" vandals after a disposable barbecue was left to burn through her late brother's memorial bench.
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Claire Sharma, 35, from Headingley, was devastated when she discovered the damage to her brother Tony Sharma's memorial bench at Surprise View on the Otley Chevin on Saturday, May 30.

A large, black square was burned into the wood - just inches away from Tony's memorial plaque.

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Claire said: "I decided to meet up with a good friend to walk the dog and visit Tony's memorial bench.

A disposable barbecue damaged Tony Sharma's memorial bench on Surprise View onthe Otley Chevin. Photo provided by Claire Sharma.A disposable barbecue damaged Tony Sharma's memorial bench on Surprise View onthe Otley Chevin. Photo provided by Claire Sharma.
A disposable barbecue damaged Tony Sharma's memorial bench on Surprise View onthe Otley Chevin. Photo provided by Claire Sharma.

"As we've been under lockdown and I have a small baby, it has been difficult for me to get up there so it was a very special moment for me.

"As I walked up, I immediately noticed the damage. I thought I was seeing things or the sun was in my eyes.

"We were so shocked and tried to check the extent of it.

"It looked like it had been burned nearly all the way through and would be irreparable."

A disposable barbecue damaged Tony Sharma's memorial bench on Surprise View onthe Otley Chevin. Photo provided by Claire Sharma.A disposable barbecue damaged Tony Sharma's memorial bench on Surprise View onthe Otley Chevin. Photo provided by Claire Sharma.
A disposable barbecue damaged Tony Sharma's memorial bench on Surprise View onthe Otley Chevin. Photo provided by Claire Sharma.
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The mother-of-two added: "We immediately suspected that it was done by a disposable barbecue and people have since told us that two people had a barbecue up there on Friday night.

"Who would be stupid enough to put hot coals on wood? Of course it is going to burn.

"We could not figure out who would be so irresponsible and disrespectful to do such a thing. The plaque clearly states in "memory of" of my brother."

The Sharma family had purchased the memorial bench as a special place to remember Tony, who died aged 37 in April 2017.

Luckily, joiner Kenny Harrison, one of Tony's best friends, was able to fix the the bench. Photo provided by Claire Sharma.Luckily, joiner Kenny Harrison, one of Tony's best friends, was able to fix the the bench. Photo provided by Claire Sharma.
Luckily, joiner Kenny Harrison, one of Tony's best friends, was able to fix the the bench. Photo provided by Claire Sharma.
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The vandalism was a particularly difficult blow for them, as it was the first time they had been able to visit the bench since the third anniversary of Tony's death, due to the lockdown.

Claire said: "I was so concerned about telling my parents as my dad goes out to the bench a lot to look after and care for it.

"To us and Tony's friends, the bench is like his grave.

"I shared a photo of the damage on Facebook and lots of people got in touch to share their disgust and anger.

"At least one other memorial bench has been damaged by a disposable barbecue that I know of.

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"I have emailed my local council to make them aware because many people have messaged me saying they are worried about their memorial benches on the Chevin now."

Thankfully for the family, joiner Kenny Harrison, one of Tony's best friends, was able to fix the the bench.

Kenny spent all day on Sunday rectifying the damage and making it a special place for friends and family once again.

Claire said: "It will be unknown to others what distress this has caused to my family and friends of my brother.

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"Luckily we have plenty of offers to help and our good friend Kenny, has sorted it.

"These memorial benches are like graves to families.

"Allowing people to use barbecues on benches is dangerous and disrespectful to people's memory - and it could start a wild fire in the heat.

"Disposable barbecues need to be made illegal in public places."

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