Rip-roaring
SCHOOLGIRL IS BELLE OF THE BALL WITH HELP FROM BIKERS
Reporter A COUNTY Durham teenager beat the bullies as she got a roaring escort to her prom from more than 120 bikers.
Chloe Robson says she was made to feel “worthless” from the age of seven by those who cruelly made fun of her.
The 16-year-old from Chester-leStreet was nervous about going to the prom but the brilliant surprise entrance gave her a confidence boost.
Her uncle, Grant Robson, 42, enlisted the help of 126 fellow motorcyclists to give her some support on the day.
Chloe says she has been bodyshamed and even had objects thrown at her throughout her childhood.
But she said it felt “incredible” to enter the prom venue at Lumley Castle with friends to the sound of motorcycles simultaneously revving.
“I was really nervous about going to the prom and the reaction I’d get,” she said.
“It was a big shock when we heard the engines and all the bikers turned up – I wasn’t expecting that many but it made me feel supported and confident.
“They were surrounding the car all the way there and then escorted me to the school, then there was applause from teachers and the families of other students.
“It was an indescribable moment – my friends all ran up and said ‘wow, that was an entrance.’”
Like many victims of bullying, Chloe’s problems started at primary school with name-calling directed at the way she looked and talked.
This continued when she attended Hermitage Academy in Chester-leStreet and progressed to physical pushing, shoving and having objects thrown at her, she claims.
Chloe – who says she still has no idea why she was targeted – has been left with low self-esteem and confidence.
The 16-year-old said: “The bullying had a bad effect – it made me feel left out and alone.
“I had no-one to talk to about it and worried if I said anything it would get around – it will have a long-term effect on me.”
Grant set up support group Bikers Against Bullies after accompanying fellow bikers in the area on similar supportive ride-alongs.
Chloe, who will join the sixth form next year to study media and photography, has now gone on to help with the group’s social media and photography.
Grant, a marketing photographer, said: “Many of the members of the group have experienced bullying, either at school or at work.
“I was bullied at school but when I was at school you just got a bit beat up. These days, though, you have social media – the biggest bully in the world is Facebook.
“I’ve seen some of the messages bullies send, things like ‘I hope you stop breathing in your sleep.’
“Chloe works with us now to raise awareness with parents because she’s been through it.”