A bench which signifies hope for those who have lost someone or struggling with their mental health has been destroyed in a "disgusting" act of vandalism.
Earlier this year, Netflix donated 25 benches for different areas across the UK following Ricky Gervais' After Live series, each with QR codes leading to suicide-awareness websites, to mark the show’s third series.
Sitting on a bench near his wife’s grave gives Tony, Ricky Gervais’ character in his hit series After Life, time to ponder life’s meaning.
The benches proved to be a hit with people across the UK, but one bench, donated to Nottingham's city centre arboretum, has been destroyed over the weekend, with planks of wood lying on top of each other.
The message 'Hope is Everything' can be seen at the top of all that remains there, Nottinghamshire Live reports.
Ricky Gervais said after donating the benches: “We hope the benches will create a lasting legacy for After Life, as well as become a place for people to visit, and we are thrilled to be associated with CALM and the great work they do.”
A golden plaque inscribed on the benches reads: "This bench is donated by Netflix to commemorate Ricky Gervais."
The act was branded "despicable" by passers by as Vivian O'Boyle, 69, said: "My husband has just died, three weeks ago - I wanted to maybe donate a bench near here as we used to come and sit here every morning pretty much.
"I knew about the bench - I think it's disgusting, totally disgusting. I wonder what goes through people's heads, honestly. What is the need to do that? I think in some ways you have got to pity these people.
"You don't know what is going on in their lives and so you shouldn't make judgements but it is a horrible thing to do. I still come here because I'm still trying to do things I used to do with my husband, I don't want to try and avoid everything.
"This is such a lovely, peaceful place. To think we are so close to the city centre is amazing, you can come here and listen to the birds and the church bells. It's really lovely."
Andy Church, 50, added: "I have just seen what is left of it - it's absolutely despicable. It's completely mindless.
"I loved the show when it was on and I used to like seeing people sat on that bench. I really don't know what the world is coming to."
