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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Lynn McKenna

Coltness kids left heartbroken after despicable louts torched their den

Heartless vandals torched a den built by youngsters at a magical forest in Coltness.

The woodland, in Branchal Woods Plantation, just off Kilmeny Crescent, has been targeted by a group of teens who are hell-bent on destroying the innocent fun of little ones.

Coltness Magical Forest was set up by a local family earlier this year to make dreams come true for youngsters.

Polly Russell, six, and Johnny Russell, nine, and Wynter Forbes, four, were heartbroken to see the den they had spend months building up together had been burnt down by yobs last week.

Angela Russell who created the lovely area with the help of her step daughter Ainslie and Polly and Johnny, said: “Groups of teenagers have been setting fires all over the forest.

“We were all gutted when we saw the den had been burnt down, especially Polly.

“Some of the other children had been putting wee letters in envelopes for the fairies and placing them in the den. They were all burnt too.

“It’s disgusting behaviour.”

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Inspired by a similar wooded area on the Isle of Bute, the family made it their new year resolution to create the magical forest on their doorstep in a bid to encourage children to explore the great outdoors.

They are determined not to let the vandals destroy their magical dreams and have vowed to continue to make the area a lovely place for kids to venture to with their loved ones.

Angela added: “If anything, it’s showing the kids how not to behave and how this type of behaviour makes others feel.

“We are staying positive, and we are continuing with our wee project.

“The community continues to use and contribute to the magical forest.

“It’s looking great otherwise.

“Family’s have been having picnics and continue to make and place trinkets, decorated stones and shells in the trees. Despite what has happened, we’ve not lost hope just yet.”

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