A bench which signifies hope and was donated by Netflix following their hit series After Life has been destroyed by "disgusting" vandals.
The bench, In Nottingham, is one of 25 installed across the UK and specifically for those who are struggling with grief or their mental health. It was put up in the Arboretum in January this year but has now been left in ruins, NottinghamshireLive reports.
On Sunday, May 22, piles of wooden planks were left in its stead with the message "Hope is Everything" sticking out at the top. Residents have been left angry and upset and slammed the people responsible for it as "despicable".
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Vivian O'Boyle, who lives in Highbury Vale, said she recently lost her husband and had been toying with the idea of donating a bench to the park in his memory. The 69-year-old said: "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."
One couple, who wished to remain anonymous, said they found it hard to understand why someone would vandalise the bench.
"We don't come here very often so we weren't aware of the bench, but it sounds like it was a wonderful idea," they said. "It's hard to think why someone would want to do that. It's very sad."
Andy Church, 50, labelled the actions as "completely mindless". He said: "I have just seen what is left of it - it's absolutely despicable. 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."
After Netflix donated the benches - another one can be found in Nottingham's Highfields Park - Ricky Gervais said they hope they would create "a lasting legacy for After Life".
A golden plaque on the benches is engraved with: "This bench is donated by Netflix to commemorate Ricky Gervais."
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