Dozens of bikers turned out to support a seven-year-old schoolboy who was attacked by bullies as he was walking to post a letter to Santa Claus.
Darren Stevenson was set upon by a gang of young thugs as he walked to the post box. The bullies poured lighter fluid on his go-kart, threw stones at him and split his head open with an electrical plug.
But he received the support of around 40 bikers who shared stories about how they bullied when they were youngsters.
Credit: SWNS
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Darren, from Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, and his best friend Connor Torrance, aged eight, have been subject to a relentless bullying campaign for months.
Connor's mum, Kristina, 27, said the boys do everything together, from football to playing Xbox, but now were afraid to leave the house.
Connor's mother Kristina, 27, said: "The boys were shocked, they loved it. They were expecting a few and it was 40 in the end. They got a mug and a membership.
"A lot of them told us their stories about how they got bullied and they didn't have any support when they were youngsters.
"After the bikers left Darren actually asked if he could go out to play for the first time."
Kristina said that the last few months had been 'hell' for her son, and that he is bullied for everything from his height to his jacket. She added: "It's just stupid wee things; he's getting out of school crying his eyes out. The school hasn't helped us at all."
Credit: SWNS
Although she has tried to reach out to the bullies' parents to explain their children's behaviour, they have not got back to her.
Darren's mother Laura Armstrong said she couldn't thank the bikers enough and they sent a clear message that bullying was unacceptable.
She added: "Darren is a happy, bubbly boy once again and is hoping Santa is extra kind to him this year.
"Thanks to everyone for their support."
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Bikes against Bullies was a programme that started in the USA to support anti-bullying campaigns.
The UK chapter was founded in June 2016 by Chris Cooper, after his two youngest children were bullied for a year.
Hopefully they think twice before bullying Darren and Connor again.
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Featured image credit: SWNS