Community garden destroyed in suspected arson
Springwell Community HubA fire at a memory garden is a "kick in the teeth" for those working to improve their local area, a community manager has said.
The garden at Springwell Community Hub in Gateshead was damaged when wooden pallets were set on fire, causing a memorial bench dedicated to a former resident to be destroyed.
The hub's manager Lisa Loan said a local told her about the fire on Sunday afternoon and said four youths were seen in the garden at the time.
Northumbria Police said it was treating the fire as suspected arson, and Loan said it was "disheartening" to think someone might have deliberately started it.
"You try to do good and you get a kick in the teeth and you get thrown back three steps," she said.
The memory garden was opened as a place people could visit while remembering loved ones who had died, and includes a number of memorial benches.
'Little maniacs'
Loan said she believed the fire had been started by a four boys, some from outside the area.
"People say there's nothing for them to do, but we have youth clubs," Loan said.
"I think they are being little maniacs."
After the fire was put out, a member of the community stepped in to help clear the ash while another set up a fundraising campaign to raise money to restore the garden.
So far, £180 has been donated towards the GoFundMe campaign's £800 target.
