BMX champion to be face of Barnardo’s adoption campaign

Sports star credits loving adoptive parents for success later in life

A Dundee BMX champion whose life story is being made into a film starring rapper Ludacris has helped launch an adoption appeal.

John Buultjens pedalled his way to success as one of the world’s best BMX riders, after honing his skills in abandoned factories in Dundee.

Now a hugely successful bike designer, his life was not always a happy one. He was taken into care as a youngster, having suffered abuse at the hands of his birth father.

Almost four decades ago, John was adopted by Dundee couple Eldridge and Marianna Buultjens and now the sports star wants to encourage more people to consider turning a child’s life around.

John said: “My parents Marianna and Eldridge chose me, and while our DNA doesn’t match, we are a loving family. So many people say I even look like my mother, and I believe I do too.

“They opened up a gateway to a positive life I didn’t see possible and thanks to their love and encouragement I am the happy, adventurous person I am today.”

He added: “You really could make a difference to a child who needs a loving family so, if you think you could help, please get in touch with Barnardo’s to find out more about adoption.”

John’s life story was published last year and a film adaptation is currently in production. He joins other famous faces – including Fife’s KT Tunstall and Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith – in fronting Barnardo’s adoption campaign.

Tunstall was adopted at 18 days old, while Leith adopted her Cambodian daughter Li-Da, who had been orphaned by the Khmer Rouge, when she was 16 months old.

There are currently 1,089 children across the UK waiting to find loving, stable families, including 157 on Scotland’s Adoption Register.

Picture: Steven Brown. Ride of his life: John Buultjens’ book is being made into a biopic.