Jingle bells angels
This heartbreaking picture shows what cowardly bullies did to poor Darren (7) when he went to post his letter to Santa... but the bullies won’t win after his new biker buddies stepped in to help him get his confidence back – they’re the...
A Larkhall schoolboy who was battered by bullies as he posted a letter to Santa was given some festive cheer as 40 big-hearted bikers turned up at his home to give him a boost.
Darren Stevenson (7) of Hareleeshill was afraid to leave the house after his head was split open when a group of boys whacked him with an electrical plug while he was on his way to a post box with his Christmas list.
And when Bikes Against Bullies heard of his plight they rallied round the youngster by holding a support run to help build his confidence up again.
Darren’s mum Laura Armstrong said her boy is all set for Christmas now and has even asked Santa for a bike so he can go outside again to play.
She explained: “When Darren came home with the injury after going to post his letter to Santa, we were heartbroken.
“He was lucky that the injury was superficial, but it was the lasting affect on his confidence that worries us the most.
“He didn’t want to go out any more. Bullying is not acceptable and that’s what the bikers wanted to let the boys know. Now, after their visit, Darren wants to go out to play again.”
Both Darren and his friend Connor Torrance, also of Hareleeshill, had been subjected to months of physical and verbal abuse.
However, as the news of the bullying spread, including the recent attack on Darren, it prompted the bikers to step in.
Bikes Against Bullies offer creative support for the victims of bullying and their families.
The bikers gathered at the Showcase cinema, in Bargeddie, and rode out en masse to Larkhall to visit the boys and offer them support and guidance while sending a clear message that the “community was right behind them”.
Both Darren and Connor’s parents say the pals were afraid to leave the house to go out to play and had lost confidence but after the visit “they are changed boys”.
Laura said: “They all spoke to the boys and gave them t-shirts and mugs and let them sit on the bikes. Word spread and he soon became the coolest boy in school.
“The bikers weren’t there for intimidation by any manner of means – they wanted to show their support and I can’t thank them enough.”
Connor’s mum Kristina Torrance says her son had been a victim of bullying for months and has come home with a burst nose before. Her brother Andrew Torrance, a biker himself, helped to organise the support run for the boys.