A Calne teenager who once struggled to speak at school arrived at his prom in style thanks to an incredible convoy of around 60 motorbikes organised by his family and supported by bikers from across the area.
Freddy North, who recently celebrated his 16th birthday, was given a prom send-off he will never forget as dozens of riders escorted him to the event at Bowood.
The idea began with Freddy's long-held wish to arrive in his dad's track-spec Mazda MX-5, accompanied by his mum on her motorbike. When asked whether he wanted other bikers to join them, his answer was simple: "As many as we can get."
A few Facebook posts later and riders from Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett, Chippenham and Melksham had answered the call.
For Freddy's mum, Terri, seeing the turnout was an emotional moment.
Freddy was diagnosed with autism and global developmental delay at the age of four. During his first three years at junior school he experienced selective mutism and would only speak to a small number of trusted adults.
Although he was a happy child, he often played alone and found the transition to secondary school difficult.
"When he joined Kingsbury Green in Year 7 he struggled a lot with bullying and being misunderstood," said Terri.
"But he found himself a small group of friends and really began to shine with the help of some amazing other kids."
As the bikes gathered outside the family home, Freddy was greeted by a sight few teenagers could ever imagine.
"Freddy had the biggest smile on his face when he came out of the house and neighbours all commented on how they had never seen him so happy," said Terri.
"He hasn't stopped talking about it."
The convoy turned heads all the way to Bowood, where Freddy discovered that his grand entrance had made quite an impression on his fellow students.
"He even said how kids who have never spoken to him came up to him at prom asking if they were all for him and saying how amazing it was," said Terri.
"He's never liked being the centre of attention until then. He absolutely loved his spotlight moment."
Terri led the convoy herself as it arrived at Bowood.
"As his mum I was the lead biker into the Bowood entrance and I honestly felt such pride in doing that, even though I have never done anything like that before. I did it all for Freddy."
Freddy has now finished at Kingsbury Green Academy and will begin studying Animal Care at Lackham in September, with hopes of one day becoming a veterinary assistant.
His parents say they could not be prouder.
"We were once told it would be unlikely for him to finish school with GCSEs, but he sat them all and left like a superstar," said Terri.
"I cannot thank Kingsbury Green enough for helping my boy become the confident young man he is today. It was a rocky road, but we did it."
Freddy also wanted to thank everyone who helped make the evening so special.
In his own words: "That was all for me. I feel so special."
Terri and Freddy's dad Dylan have also thanked every biker who took part and everyone who shared the appeal, helping to give Freddy a prom entrance that will be remembered for years to come.
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