‘We feel completely lost at this senseless act of vandalism’-Garden for the blind in Hornchurch destroyed by thugs.

Eight years ago members of Havering’s Volunteer Centre took over a garden in Harrow Lodge that was run down and virtually derelict. Now, after years of their hard work it has become a beautiful community garden know as the Secret Sensory Garden for the Blind.

Over the weekend, mindless thugs took it upon themselves to not only smash pots and destroy plants, but to actually rip out a concrete memorial dedicated to a blind pensioner called Betty. This disgusting act of sheer vandalism has left the team of volunteers ‘sickened to the core’.

Shelley, who runs the volunteer centre and is an amazing community champion, told the Havering Daily:

“The memorial was a very welcoming site as you entered the garden. It had a beautiful dog fountain by it in honour of Betty. Sadly we found the memorial ripped out of the ground and thrown on the floor and the dog fountain smashed.

“We had plants destroyed and plant pots smashed. We really feel completely lost by this. We don’t understand why anyone would do such a senseless act. Our garden is for everyone and we are happy people use it. However, we have noticed an increase in anti social behaviour here with rubbish left and drug paraphernalia left on the floor and now this awful act of vandalism.”

Shelley and her team of volunteers are found at all local events supporting the community. It has taken them eight years of hard work and a lot of fundraising to achieve this beautiful garden that is dedicated to the blind. And now this horrendous act of thuggery has left them extremely upset.

“This has left so many of us and our volunteers so upset.The memorial was such a welcoming site for people as they entered and a lovely way to remember Betty. We are truly devastated.”

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