A helicopter sculpture carved out of wood celebrating a life-saving charity and placed in a Keswick park earlier this summer has been vandalised.
The rotor blade of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) model, unveiled in Hope Park at the end of July, has been ripped off.
Carey Taylor, senior manager – executive projects with the GNAAS, said: “We were saddened to find out the rotor blade of one of our helicopter sculptures has been vandalised.
“While our sculptures may look sturdy we must remind people that they are actually very delicate so please could people avoid leaning or sitting on them so they can remain in the best condition possible.
“We are now working closely with our connections in Cumbria to get our sculpture fixed.”
The eight-foot long sculpture was crafted and donated by Simon Jackson, from Wood Actually, and was his final chainsaw carving before retiring from the profession.
It was painted by Keswick artist Paul Wilmott and GNAAS volunteer Jill Libby, from Penrith, who required the help of the charity in 2012 following a cycling incident.
It is one of four models that have gone on display in towns and villages across Cumbria to raise money for the region’s air ambulance.
Similar sculptures are also available to see at White Platts in Ambleside; Tweedies in Grasmere and on the Campbell Memorial Green in Coniston.
At each site there is a QR code and text to donate phone number on display, and holidaymakers as well as locals are encouraged to share photos of the model helicopters on social media tagging @gnairambulance.
