THE charity behind a statue which commemorates those who lost their lives at the workplace has expressed its gratitude to a steelworks firm who made repairs for free after it was vandalised.

The St Helens Workers Memorial charity was left shocked and disappointed after the structure, at the Vera Page park on the former Lyons Yard, was victim to deliberate and repeated vandalism, which saw the metalwork bent out of shape.

The statue was damaged

The 1.8m structure depicting an industrial worker holding a child was officially revealed at a ceremony in April.

However, within three months, the vandals had struck, bending the metalwork which depicts the worker's apron strings.

John Riley, a trustee of the charity, said: "The vandalism was targeted, deliberate and repeated. The perpetrators exploited a weak spot in the design and bent the metalwork out of shape.

"I'm disappointed that somebody has had a go at it, especially with what the statue represents.

"The nature of the damage needed immediate repair otherwise if left it would have caused permanent damage and the charity would be left facing a hefty bill, costing the charity money it can ill afford to spare."

However, the charity was grateful after Kev Powell and Paul Dickinson, of Sure Steel Services based on Sutton Road, offered to carry out the repairs at their own expense.

After the repairs

"The charity is most grateful to the directors at Sure Steel Services for their very kind and generous gesture and wish them well for the future," added former Pilks worker John.

"People have helped us out and come together and the statue is being well-received by the public. I think everybody likes the concept."

Kev Powell and Paul Dickinson of Sure Steel Services

The idea for the statue was first mooted by Martin Bond and Richard McCauley, who had been inspired by the construction workers memorial in Ontario, Canada.

Richard McCauley described the statue as “a permanent tribute for people to sit and reflect.”

Near the Saints' stadium and retail parks, it is said to form "a unique juxtaposition between the town’s industrial heritage and future aspirations".