A FAMILY has been left devastated after a memorial bench dedicated to their son and brother was vandalised shortly before what would have been his 47th birthday.
Martin Murrell, of Barnard Castle, died suddenly in 2016 at Darlington Memorial Hospital as a result of complications from a lung infection caused by food poisoning. He had been a fit and healthy 41 year old at the time.
Five years ago his parents, Mick and Kath, along with siblings Ruth, Leslie, Naomi and Michelle, installed a bench at his favourite spot on the upper Demesne to celebrate his life.
His dad said: “This is where he grew up.
“He spent all of his spare time up here. He would come up here with his staffie, Cassie, and let it run around.”
A block paver by trade, Mr Murrell was a keen angler and the bench overlooks the River Tees where he would often be found fishing.
Shortly before his death he had qualified as a site manager and had passed his driving test.
His mum said: “He was just set to enjoy life. We still can’t believe it. It is still raw.”
Since installing the seat the family have kept up regular maintenance and are planning to sand and oil it this summer.
Mrs Murrell has planted daffodils and primulas around the bench.
She has also planted an apple tree nearby for people to enjoy a treat while taking in the views that her son so loved.
They were shocked earlier this month when they saw that a brass plaque remembering Mr Murrell had been ripped from the seat.
His sister Michelle said: “It is absolutely disgusting that people can do this – that bench and plaque has been there five years.
“Why on earth would someone take it? It means nothing to them but it means a lot to us.”
The bench was paid for by the family along with contributions from Mr Murrell’s friends, who also helped dig out the ground and lay the concrete plinth on which it stands. The family has now ordered a replacement plaque and Mr Murrell’s father plans to attach it more robustly to deter future vandalism.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact police on 101.
