Volunteers have vowed to ensure a potentially “life-saving message” continues to be seen after vandals wrecked a Samaritans help sign in a “senseless act of destruction”.

The sign was securely attached to a bollard on The Esplanade in Rochester, near where much-loved mum Stella Toner entered the river and drowned in August 2023.

Since her untimely death, her close-knit family from Strood have been lobbying Medway Council to install fencing along that stretch of the river.

Her daughter Kirsty, who has started a petition, said: “It's a small step that could save numerous lives in our community.”

Volunteers from the Friends of Rochester Churchfields and Esplanade (FoRCE) erected the sign last month to encourage people to seek support after a worrying number of drownings between the M2 motorway bridge down river through Rochester and Strood.

KentOnline has reported on three tragic deaths in the last six months.

Last month, a man in his 70s was found in the river in Canal Road, Strood.

In October, the body of a 25-year-old warehouseman was discovered, near Morrisons in Strood.

Regan Phillips, from Hoo, had been on a night out drinking with workmates in Rochester and was thought to be making his way home.

The same month 47-year-old Andrew Bottrill was found in the river near Medway City Estate. It’s thought he fell from a dinghy moored off Sun Pier in Chatham,

Natalie Poulton from FoRce said: “The sign was installed during our April Volunteer Morning and was securely attached to the bollard at the end of the railings by Hathaway Court using stainless steel post clamps, chosen specifically to reduce the risk of removal or vandalism.

“Sadly, despite these precautions, the metal bollard and sign were recently torn away in a senseless act of destruction, leaving both in the river.

Whatever you’re going through, you don’t have to face it alone. Call Samaritans free, day or night, on 116 123.

“Tragically, people often underestimate the strength and speed of the river.

“A cry for help near water can have devastating consequences, which is why we’re committed to promoting messages that encourage people to seek support before reaching a crisis point.”

“After one of our committee members noticed a previous Samaritans sign had been removed, she contacted the charity, who kindly provided us with two of their signs

“One was installed at Hathaway Court and the second is intended for Rochester Pier, but installation has been delayed due to the pier’s current closure for repairs.”

She said the organisation has contacted Medway Council to request the retrieval of the bollard and repairs to the railings.

If the original sign cannot be recovered or reused, the group will install the second sign in its place for now.

“The most important thing is that this life-saving message continues to be seen,” she added. “Acts of vandalism will not silence a message that could save a life: