Jessica Robinson, 11, locked herself in her room for two days after the traumatic incident – before the community banded together to create a do-over event for the girl
A ‘real-life Cinderella’ left her school prom in tears after “bullies tore her dress to pieces'”- only for the community to throw a second bash for free.
Jessica Robinson was attending her primary school prom last month when a bully “repeatedly stamped-on” her £450 blue dress as others “filmed it and laughed.”
The 11-year-old left what should have been a celebratory occasion in tears, with her beloved garment “torn to pieces.” The schoolgirl was left so distraught by the incident she “didn’t come out of her room” and refused to attend school for the final two days of term.
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Micha Robinson says her daughter Jessica has been the victim of bullying for the past three years, and the most recent incident at her prom has been reported to the police.
The local community are now rallying together to give Jessica the “prom re-do” she deserves, with local businesses offering up their services free of charge.
Leading the celebrations on Saturday August 23 is Libbie Cannon, owner of Notorious bar, who is offering use of her venue free-of-charge. Micha says Jessica is “excited” for the prom re-do, and hopes that she can replace the upsetting memories made at her official prom.
Micha, from Blackpool, Lancashire, said: “We dropped her off at prom, she went in and everything was fine but when I went to pick her up she came to me in tears. She was crying her eyes out, with all of her dress torn to pieces.
“Apparently the bully was stamping all over the dress and kids were there recording her on a phone, laughing while they did it.” The 32-year-old says the bullying started three years ago and Jessica has been receiving counselling since the latest incident.
Micha said: “The bullying started when she was in year three. She was coming home with bruises on her arms and she wouldn’t go to school. Three years on it’s come to her prom night and the bully destroyed her dress. She’s now under counselling for it.
“When it first happened to her on prom night, she wouldn’t come out of her room and wouldn’t speak to anyone. After the prom they still had two days left of school and she didn’t go in.”
After sharing a post on Facebook about what happened to Jessica, the local community has rallied together to give her a prom re-do. Owner of Notorious bar, Libbie Cannon, is offering use of her venue free of charge to host the ‘Ballgowns & Bravery’ event on August 23.
Libbie, from Blackpool, Lancashire, said: “We’ve definitely all rallied together to help Jessica. The response has been absolutely fantastic. Being around bullying as a child, it really pulled at my heart strings.
“She looked absolutely stunning and gorgeous. She looked like a real-life Cinderella – and she left the prom with having her dress literally ripped from her. We need to make it better for her.
“We need a lasting memory and to restore her faith in humans because it’s just been absolutely horrific for her.” The 38-year-old explained that more than 50 children are expected to turn up to the prom re-do this weekend.
Libbie has drafted in help from other local business to supply balloons, a red carpet entrance, and security for the event.
Libbie said: “We’ve got a carpet company providing a carpet so she’s got a VIP red carpet entrance. We reached out to RM events and they are dressing the club up and Nomad security have offered to bring somebody down. The DJ is offering his time for free and over the next day we are hoping to confirm the biker group.”
Micha has since had Jessica’s blue dress repaired free of charge, and she plans on wearing it again on Saturday. Micha said: “She’s excited, she can’t wait and hopefully she can make better memories. I’m over the moon. I couldn’t thank the community enough.”
Lancashire Police has been contacted for comment.