Girl, 16, who posted heartbreaking pic of prom dress she never got to wear after bullies picked on her because of health problems finally gets to wear it after friends - and 120 bikers - organise party (and doesn't she look amazing in it!)
Girl, 16, who posted heartbreaking pic of prom dress she never got to wear after bullies picked on her because of health problems finally gets to wear it after friends - and 120 bikers - organise party (and doesn't she look amazing in it!)
A teenage girl who missed her school prom because classmates mocked her serious bowel condition has finally danced in her £470 dress after friends organised a special party for her.
Shannon Purcifer, 16, from Gosport, Hampshire, shunned last month's gala because her fellow pupils teased her about her illness.
Her mother Claire Carstens, 38, posted photographs of her daughter wearing her unused dress and it touched the hearts of the nation.
But a fleet of 120 bikers were among those who rode to the youngster's rescue after a rival do was organised to 'stick two fingers up' at the bullies who had targeted her for the past 18 months.
More than 100 friends and family attended the glitzy makeshift prom - complete with buffet, decorations and disco - in her hometown on Saturday.
The schoolgirl said: 'It was just really great. It was lovely to be able to talk to everyone and thank them for all their efforts.
'It was better than I could ever have imagined. It was far better than if I had gone to my own school prom.
'The best part was when the bikes arrived. I knew they were coming but I had no idea I was going to be riding there on a three-wheeled bike.
'There was lots of dancing and I generally just had an amazing time. There were people there I'd never even met who had gone out of their way to help me. It was really emotional.'
Brave coeliac Shannon, who also suffers from arthritis and bowel disease ulcerative colitis, had previously spoken about the taunts she endured by playground bullies after she returned from a two-week stint in hospital two years ago.
Riders from Gosport Scooter Club were among those who pitched in to help with her big day, giving her an escort from her home to the venue at St Vincent College.
She was also given a corsage to wear carrying a picture of her late father, Daniel Purcifer, a Royal Navy Petty Officer, who died in Germany in 2007 aged 28.
Ms Carstens, a retail worker, said: 'It was even better than we could have hoped for. It was a really lovely day.
'She got up and had her nails and hair done first, then her make-up and then all of her friends started to arrive.
'We went to Foster Gardens en route to the venue so everyone could have their photo taken.
'It did actually rain in spells but for the bits when we were outside, the bike ride and the photoshoot, the weather was great.
'The bikers were just amazing. We're really grateful for everyone's help. Shannon was very emotional but she looked amazing.
'There's no better way to stick two fingers up at bullies than to go out and enjoy yourself.'
Guests included Shannon's stepdad Kevin Carstens, a 37-year-old engineer, her brothers Alex, 18, and Brandon, 12, and four-year-old sister Freya, as well as 'true friends' and family.
A teenage girl who missed her school prom because classmates mocked her serious bowel condition has finally danced in her £470 dress after friends organised a special party for her.
Shannon Purcifer, 16, from Gosport, Hampshire, shunned last month's gala because her fellow pupils teased her about her illness.
Her mother Claire Carstens, 38, posted photographs of her daughter wearing her unused dress and it touched the hearts of the nation.
But a fleet of 120 bikers were among those who rode to the youngster's rescue after a rival do was organised to 'stick two fingers up' at the bullies who had targeted her for the past 18 months.
More than 100 friends and family attended the glitzy makeshift prom - complete with buffet, decorations and disco - in her hometown on Saturday.
The schoolgirl said: 'It was just really great. It was lovely to be able to talk to everyone and thank them for all their efforts.
'It was better than I could ever have imagined. It was far better than if I had gone to my own school prom.
'The best part was when the bikes arrived. I knew they were coming but I had no idea I was going to be riding there on a three-wheeled bike.
'There was lots of dancing and I generally just had an amazing time. There were people there I'd never even met who had gone out of their way to help me. It was really emotional.'
Brave coeliac Shannon, who also suffers from arthritis and bowel disease ulcerative colitis, had previously spoken about the taunts she endured by playground bullies after she returned from a two-week stint in hospital two years ago.
Riders from Gosport Scooter Club were among those who pitched in to help with her big day, giving her an escort from her home to the venue at St Vincent College.
She was also given a corsage to wear carrying a picture of her late father, Daniel Purcifer, a Royal Navy Petty Officer, who died in Germany in 2007 aged 28.
Ms Carstens, a retail worker, said: 'It was even better than we could have hoped for. It was a really lovely day.
'She got up and had her nails and hair done first, then her make-up and then all of her friends started to arrive.
'We went to Foster Gardens en route to the venue so everyone could have their photo taken.
'It did actually rain in spells but for the bits when we were outside, the bike ride and the photoshoot, the weather was great.
'The bikers were just amazing. We're really grateful for everyone's help. Shannon was very emotional but she looked amazing.
'There's no better way to stick two fingers up at bullies than to go out and enjoy yourself.'
Guests included Shannon's stepdad Kevin Carstens, a 37-year-old engineer, her brothers Alex, 18, and Brandon, 12, and four-year-old sister Freya, as well as 'true friends' and family.
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