As a statement against bullying, 16-year-old Puk wants to be dropped off by a number of bikers on motorcycles at her graduation party in IJmuiden. Jaap Bakker, a friend of her parents, put an appeal on Facebook and within a day the message was shared more than 11,000 times. “I did not see that coming, we expect a large turnout.”
It seemed like a nice last stunt to Puk* to be dropped off by a number of motorcycles at her graduation. Through her parents she came into contact with photographer Jaap, whom she asked to take pictures of her arrival. “Of course I wanted to do that and when she later told me that the bikers had cancelled, I made a call,” says Jaap.
Hundreds of motorbikes
So that call has been answered, Jaap has been called by bikers and motorcycle clubs for almost two days. “The message has also been shared on various forums, I’ve really lost track.” According to Jaap, more than a thousand motorbikes could be used.
Jaap says that Puk wants to make a crushing entrance at her graduation party in order to draw attention to bullying. “She wants to show that bullying is not okay. She is a ‘steampunk’ herself and therefore falls outside the boat.”
Puk’s father also agrees that the girl is often bullied because of her special clothing style. “She sometimes puts on two different shoes on purpose, and she dyed her hair blue,” he says.
Recognition
“I hear from a lot of bikers that they recognize themselves in this story,” explains Jaap. “That’s why so many people want to participate, because they used to be bullied themselves. It’s really a community, if you say to real bikers ‘a child is being bullied and he needs your help’, the engines start spinning spontaneously. “
Motorclub Wakers IJmuiden will accompany the ride. “The idea is that Puk will be driven to the party on the back of a trike, with a group of motorcycles in front and a whole procession behind it. And we also have security guards who will escort her inside like a VIP.”