Christmas cheers turned to tears after a wooden cabin used as Santa’s Grotto was targeted twice in despicable arson attacks at a school for children with additional support needs.
Mindless vandals destroyed the cabin at Firpark School in Motherwell, and then after the local community had rallied round to help pay for a replacement it was torched days later in another senseless attack.
The original bespoke wooden structure had been lovingly built by staff members in the outdoor area during lockdown and is the centre-piece for the school’s Winter Wonderland in the run-up to Christmas. It was torched on Thursday, December 8, not long after the school day had finished.
Following the initial incident Fiona Graham from Overtown, who is chair of Firpark Parent Council, said: “The children were devastated and we feel really bad for the staff who built it as well, it was all their hard work up in smoke.
“One wee girl was so upset she told her mum Santa was dead, because she knew that’s where he appears.”
Local residents had alerted the emergency services after spotting the fire around 5pm that day.
When Forest Craft in Newhouse heard about the destruction of the cabin the company offered to install a replacement structure at a fraction of the normal price.
And thanks to the amazing fundraising efforts of parents, the local community, and Motherwell FC, they surpassed their online target of £500 within a matter of hours, and a new cabin was put in place last Tuesday.
Lanarkshire Live captured photographs of happy children and proud parents on Friday at the new structure after the Winter Wonderland went ahead as planned.
Sadly however, when children turned up for school on Monday it was realised that the brand new replacement cabin had also been razed to the ground in another callous and cowardly act.
The school’s deputy head teacher, Colette Ellis, said: “I can’t actually believe it, I’m gobsmacked. When we arrived on Monday morning it was dark and didn’t even realise it was gone.
"We had wanted to thank everyone in the local community and wider community for their overwhelming support, but to come in and see this again – we are heartbroken to be honest with you. I don’t really have the words to explain how I feel.
“Thankfully the Winter Wonderland went ahead last week but we’re going to have to have a real think going forward with what we’re going to do.”
Fiona Graham added: “It’s gone, burnt to the ground, completely destroyed. I don’t even know where to start.
“It’s an absolute disgrace and now beyond a joke. It was less than a week old, and mindless vandals seem to be able to do whatever they want. It cost us money, Forest Craft had stepped in to save the day but now that’s it gone.
"It just wasn’t what I was expecting to see when I dropped my daughter at school. Is this what’s going to happen every time we rebuild it?”
Fiona has called on the council to enhance security measures at the school in Milton Street and also issued a personal plea to the person or persons responsible, for the fires: “I would like to ask, what is it you are getting from this?
“Please stop what you are doing because it’s our kids that are being hurt by this.”
She added: “It’s absolutely disgraceful, sickening, a week before Christmas and if this is kids doing this then surely they’re going home with the smell of smoke on them.
"Their parents surely can’t think this is acceptable.
“It was a fear that it could happen again, and that’s exactly what has happened. It’s gone in an instant. How many times do we need to go through this? We can’t keep paying out £500 every week.”
Councillor Angela Campbell, Convener of North Lanarkshire Council's Education, Children and Families Committee, said: “This is a sickening and senseless attack on a valued school resource, which was developed by the local community for pupils to enjoy. You have to ask yourself what were those behind this mindless act of vandalism actually thinking?
“I’d encourage anyone with information to contact the police.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "An investigation is under way following a report of a fire at a property in Milton Street on Friday, 8 December. The incident was reported around 8pm. No-one was injured, however, the property was badly damaged. Enquiries are ongoing and police are following a positive line."
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