A WIDOW has made a plea for grieving families to be treated better after a memorial bench to her husband was vandalised – but she only found out about it months later.

The bench, which was erected in memory of Darlington doctor Ceri Williams, has been in place near Cocker Beck since 2007, after being moved by Darlington Borough Council from its initial spot in Cemetery Lane.

Gaynor Williams, his widow, used to visit the site regularly but has been unable to since before the start of the pandemic as she is awaiting surgery and has mobility issues.

She still does not know when vandalised happened, or when a memorial plaque was removed.

Dr Williams, a consultant at Darlington Memorial Hospital, was cycling near his home when he was hit by a driver in 2003. He died 11 days later, at the age of 47.

The following year, the bench was installed in his memory, with the help of cycling charity Sustrans and the council.

Mrs Williams, 63, found out about the damage after emailing the Friends of Cocker Beck because she had come across a picture of the group using the bench.

She said: “I was devastated when I found out. It was ironic that it was the anniversary of the accident which was just coincidental but it was the worst day it could have happened.

“I’ve gone through a lot of emotions. It’s one thing to suggest that a bench is no longer fit for purpose as a seat, but who decides it’s no longer fit for purpose as a memorial?

“There should be a protocol in place to ask families if they still want it.” She added:

“Having had it happen to me, I’d like to make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else? I would like something to be done.”

Discussions are still underway as to whether to replace the bench, or possibly create something new on the route of a proposed cycle lane in Darlington.

A council spokesman said: “We often received requests to install memorial benches and are happy to help whenever possible. We would advise that the ‘donator’ pays for the bench, which we then install in an agreed location free of charge.

“The council then maintains it where possible, until such a time when it is no longer fit for purpose, at which point it is removed. Unfortunately, we’re unable to keep families and relatives informed as and when benches are damaged or removed. However, we are always happy to work with them if they contact us about renewing a bench, as we are now doing in this case.”

Mrs Williams set up a forum for widows and widowers in 2009, when she felt the need for something to cater for people bereaved at a young age.

Way-up.co.uk now has 5,000 members and Mrs Williams says she has seen a surge in new members since the start of the pandemic.

She said: "Lockdown has been very difficult for those who have been bereaved, both for those who have been bereaved recently and for those who were bereaved some time ago, who have found themselves very mush alone without support."