THE bereaved sister of a man who lost his life in the River Clyde has told how she is “heartbroken” as mindless vandals have ripped a lifeline telephone installed close to the river’s banks from the ground.
Jeanmarie Ferrier, who lost her brother Thomas at the age of just 38, has described the act as “disgusting” and “mindless” as images show the telephone appears to be damaged.
She said: “I’m just completely heartbroken and so sad that this has happened. I feel as if it has pushed me back a lot."
READ MORE: Sister of man who tragically died on River Clyde repeats demands for life-saving phones
The Think Again Campaign achieved success in March after pushing for over two-and-a-years for the installment of a number of the lifeline phones along the Clydeside.
The phones give callers direct access to speak with a Samaritans volunteer.
Jeanmarie added: “We worked so hard for these phones and I’m left thinking, what was the point? We worked for the best part of over two years to have them installed.
“I can’t believe it. The person that done it isn’t even in my thoughts – they aren’t even worth it. I just hope that they or any members of their family never, ever need to use a service like Samaritans in the future.
“To do something like this, in times like these, is just absolutely mindless and disgusting.
“Thomas would be disgusted. Every one of us who are bereaved families are absolutely gutted that somebody could do this. It has really hit us hard.
“We took a lot of pride in doing this for our city and for the citizens of Glasgow. It must have taken some force to do this, and more than one person too.”
The shocking discovery was made on Monday by William Graham of the Glasgow Humane Society - a life-saving organisation that patrols and protects people along the River Clyde.
He said: “This act of vandalism is utterly terrible and disgusting.
“To see this telephone pulled from its wires after the vigorous campaign to have them installed is totally unnecessary.
“To do this to a lifeline service is completely pointless and disgusting. Those responsible should be ashamed.”
Stef Shaw, who spearheaded the Think Again Campaign alongside Jeanmarie, has called for those responsible to be held accountable.
He said: “People from Glasgow and across the globe supported the Think Again Campaign to see the emergency lifeline telephones and clear Samaritans signage being installed in Glasgow.
“These much-needed telephones are a lifeline for vulnerable people and it is shocking that they have been vandalised.
“Those who have vandalised these lifeline telephones will be caught and prosecuted.”
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “Any vandalism that compromises the safety of individuals along our waterways is absolutely abhorrent.”
We have approached Police Scotland for comment.
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