Mindless vandals smash up Falkirk canal barge which helps people with special needs

Members of the Seagull Trust are now raising funds to buy a CCTV system after one of its barges fell victim to mindless vandalism.
By James Trimble
Published 11th Mar 2021, 09:17 BST
Updated 11th Mar 2021, 10:09 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The charity based near Bantaskine Road, Falkirk provides fun canal cruises for those with special needs and the elderly.

Over the last month it has suffered at the hands of vandals, with the culprits smashing windows of the barge known as Govan on two separate occasions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The trust’s Marjory Sime said: “Over the past few weeks at the Seagull Trust Cruises Boathouse in Falkirk the Govan Seagull has been vandalised and had its windows broken.

Mindless vandals smashed up the Seagull Trust barge GovanMindless vandals smashed up the Seagull Trust barge Govan
Mindless vandals smashed up the Seagull Trust barge Govan

"Why anyone would vandalise a charity is beyond me. Three weeks ago we posted online one of our Seagull Trust Cruises Falkirk boats had been vandalised and repaired.

"The it happened again and this time we felt we had no choice but to involve the police. We are now fundraising to get money for the sponsorship of CCTV cameras to help solve this problem.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We received a report around 3.50pm on Wednesday, March 10 of a boat which had been vandalised at Bantaskine Estate near Falkirk.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

The windows of the vessel were smashed in two separate attacksThe windows of the vessel were smashed in two separate attacks
The windows of the vessel were smashed in two separate attacks
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The trust has set up a Just Giving page, which is currently climbing to the £200 mark in its bid to reach a £1000 target.

Opened in 1992, the Falkirk branch of the Seagull Trust has allowed thousands of people with special needs to enjoy a leisurely – and calming – cruises along the canal.

The trust even has a hydraulic lift to cater for guests in wheelchairs.

Marjory's Help us fund CCTV installation at Seagull Trust Cruises...