Bullied Drumchapel teen who was called a walrus speaks out to help others who are suffering

Lucy Wink, 14, says she’s been the victim of persistent verbal and physical harassment since she started high school almost two years ago.

The bubbly teenager has been targeted with nasty jibes about her appearance, with girls at her school calling her a “walrus” and making other comments about her weight.

She claims she’s been sent videos teasing her and been bombarded with a string of abusive messages.

However, Lucy is determined for something good to come of the situation and has opened up on her own experience, so others in a similar situation know they don’t have to go through it alone.

She told our sister title the Clydebank Post about how things came to a head, when she posted a picture of her and her friends at her birthday sleepover on social media.

“I put something on Snapchat,” she said. “It was a picture of me and my friends. They told me to ‘get back to the ocean you fat whale’.

“They go overboard with it. They’re still annoying me at lunchtimes. I was walking to my next class and this girl came up to me and gave me a hard nudge with her elbow.

“It makes me feel depressed. During school, I’m fine but as soon as I come home I think about it and it will get to me.”

After hearing from a family member what Lucy had been subjected to, personal trainer Christine Scott offered to guide her through weekly fitness sessions.

And the young sports fanatic said she is enjoying the classes, which help build her confidence.

She said: “We were on the bike, treadmill and rowing machines.

“We were doing boxing as well. I’ve always been into the gym and sport. I like it, it’s fun.”

Mum Liz said: “I think it’s a good thing. Even if she feels self-conscious about her body, I’ve told her everything will change but it’s a confidence builder.”

Lucy has been supported during the bullying by her close-knit family and Liz admitted she didn’t realise the full extent of the emotional damage that was being done to her daughter.

She said: “I never realised how badly it was affecting her because she’s a tough wee cookie.

“She’s not scared of them. It’s the verbal abuse that’s getting to her.”

But Lucy is more concerned there might be others out there who do not have the same support network as her.

Dad Duncan, brothers Andrew and Lewis, sister Sarah and school friends have all rallied round her during what has been a difficult start to high school.

Lucy said: “I’ve always cared about other people and I’ve always helped other people so if there’s a chance to help other people, I want to take that chance.

“Just talk to someone. Everyone says that but it actually really helps, even a teacher or something, anybody really.”