A 12-year-old girl has received an outpouring of support after being bullied for wearing her Air Cadet uniform to school on Remembrance Day.
Ally Gordon, from Newcastle, said that daughter Taeghan had gone to school on Wednesday in her official blue ensemble and matching beret to mark the occasion.
The mother-of-three, 44, told FEMAIL how her youngest child was teased throughout the day by other students who had laughed at her and branded the uniform ‘disgusting’.
Ally, who was keen to show how proud she was of her daughter, shared the incident on social media and was soon inundated with hundreds of messages of support.
Ally Gordon, from Newcastle, said that her 12-year-old daughter Taeghan (pictured) was bullied for wearing her Air Cadet uniform to school on Remembrance Day
Ally said: ‘At Taeghan’s school each year they encourage the cadets to come in wearing uniform. I think this year it was slightly different because of all the restrictions the classes are in their individual bubbles.
‘But Taeghan still went in in her uniform. But from the time between going to the bus stop to getting the bus to school there were other children who made remarks – but she chose to ignore it.
‘When she got to school though there was a small group of girls who had laughed at the uniform, asked why she was wearing it, told her she looked disgusting.
‘At one point somebody said she looked like a nun – I don’t know where that came from.
‘The teacher at the time who was there when this happened did step in and put a stop to it, which was really good – the teacher was amazing about it.
‘But [the bullying] continued throughout the day and it was just digs at her and snide remarks.’
Ally said she had been keen to show how proud she was of her daughter (pictured together) so shared the incident on social media before she was soon inundated with hundreds of messages of support
Ally said that there are a group of other students at the school who are members of the same squadron as Taeghan, who has been an air cadet for almost a year, but they had not been allowed to mix due to coronavirus restrictions.
She continued: ‘Taeghan, as far as I’m aware, was the only student in her entire year who was wearing uniform, so she was very obvious within her year group.
‘She would have worn it with pride regardless, but I think over the course of the day there had been a lot said.
‘There were also remarks made by children from other schools on her way home because they all use the same bus route to come home.
‘When she came in she went straight into her music lesson so she didn’t really have a chance to chat about it. Once her lesson had finished it all came out.
Ally said that there are a group of other students at the school who are members of the same squadron as Taeghan (left and right), who has been an air cadet for almost a year, but they had not been allowed to mix due to coronavirus restrictions
‘It was just a very special day to her, she is very proud to wear her uniform but I think it just all got a bit too much for her. It was very emotional and it kind of took its toll over the course of the day, which is when I made the post saying we were all very proud of her.’
Ally posted a picture of daughter Taeghan in her uniform on Twitter alongside a heart-breaking caption which read: ‘Being mocked for the amusement of others all because she wore her uniform at school today.
‘Chin up my beautiful girl, I am & always will be proud of you! #ProudMam #AirCadet #DNWAirCadets #LestWeForget #Respect #NextGeneration.’
And she was soon inundated with hundreds of messages of support.
Ally posted a picture of daughter Taeghan in her uniform on Twitter alongside a heart-breaking caption which read: ‘Being mocked for the amusement of others all because she wore her uniform at school today’
Among those to send their well wishes James Heappey MP who wrote: ‘I’m very sorry your daughter was mocked for wearing her cadet uniform to school’
Myleene Klass commented: ‘Your daughter is absolutely amazing. I’m a Navy brat. I know what that uniform means’
Renowned British Army Photographer Rupert Frere said: ‘Tell her she has nothing to feel down about’
Among those to send their well wishes James Heappey MP who wrote: ‘I’m very sorry your daughter was mocked for wearing her cadet uniform to school.
‘She should be as proud to wear it as we are proud of her and all the other young people enjoying the great experience our cadet forces offer.’
Myleene Klass commented: ‘Your daughter is absolutely amazing. I’m a Navy brat. I know what that uniform means. Chin up, stand tall and proud. Cheering and hyping you up all the way.’
Renowned British Army Photographer Rupert Frere said: ‘Tell her she has nothing to feel down about.
‘Going to school in uniform to mark armistice, takes courage, pride, integrity and respect for others.
Taeghan has followed in her family’s footprints with eldest brother Josh, 23, (pictured) also being a member of a squadron
‘They are qualities that will get her through life and ones that some people in her school clearly lack. Please say thank you from me.’
Ally has since told FEMAIL: ‘We didn’t expect the level of support we got – everything from your average Joe in the street to people who have served or are still serving very high up within the forces have come out an shown their support and been in touch.
‘We’ve had some very kind words and phenomenal messages. Its been a crazy, emotional couple of days.
‘Taeghan has been overwhelmed. Where her squadron is concerned they are all seen as like a little family but I think she has now realised just how much of a bigger thing she is part of.
‘She knows that there are squadrons and forces all over the world who came out in solidarity.
‘If her story can reach just one cadet that received the same negative comments as Taeghan did and we can encourage them to keep doing what they’re doing then it has all been worthwhile.
‘It has really hit home that a words of a few peoples should never be taken over the support of hundreds or thousands of others.’
Taeghan has followed in her family’s footprints after joining the same squadron her mother had more than 30 years ago.
Her eldest brother Josh, 23, was also a member of a different squadron with Ally describing the cadets as ‘a lifeline’ amid the Covid-19 lockdown especially when schools were closed.