A sign showing a message of solidarity for those affected by the war in Ukraine has been destroyed in a reckless act of vandalism.
The display was targeted overnight on Sunday, June 5, as a sharp object believed to be a knife slashed through the war-torn country's flag.
Bothwell Parish Church put the sign in place at the front of the premises in March after news broke of the Russian invasion.
It read 'Pray with us for Ukraine,' and was to provide Lanarkshire locals with a reminder to keep those affected in their thoughts during their time of need.
But minister at Bothwell Parish Church Rev. Iain Majcher says he was disappointed and heartbroken to see his supportive gesture ripped apart.
He told Lanarkshire Live : "When Ukraine got invaded by Russia, we wondered what we could do as a church.
"Churches across Scotland were raising money for Ukraine which is very important, but we wanted to remind the public about it every day, and not have it leave people’s consciousness.
“It sat outside the church for weeks and weeks, and whenever people would walk past they would stop and look at it.
“And even if they are not prayerful people, it just made people think about it.
“We had a great event at the weekend at the church, but then on walking past on Monday we saw that someone for some reason had slashed the sign with a knife.
“We’ve taken it down and are currently looking at repairing it or replacing it. Repairing it is more difficult but I do think it’s important that it goes back up again because it’s an ongoing situation.
“I think it’s important that as our neighbours in Europe, we should stand up and support them."
The sign itself cost the church £50, making the mindless act even more disheartening as money spent on replacing it could be at the expense of helping those in the community.
Rev. Majcher added: “My first reaction was I was bitterly bitterly disappointed and actually really sad. I went home and told my wife, showed her the picture and she had a similar reaction. We can’t believe someone would do that.
“It’s things like that that break my heart. The sign itself only cost about £50 but that could have been better spent helping our dementia group, or community support we have at the church.”
Locals were alerted of the incident in a social media post by the church which read: "So sad and disappointed that someone has decided to cut our sign of solidarity with Ukraine outside the church.
"It was completely unnecessary vandalism and will now only cost us money to replace it, if we even can.
"It may seem like pennies to some but as a church we would rather spend our money supporting the community than replacing signs that someone decides to vandalise on a whim.
"Why not reach out to me, Rev. Iain if you disagree with something the church is doing, I’m always happy to chat. minister@bothwellparishchurch.org.uk".
Many commented on the reckless act, calling it "disgusting" and "shameful".
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