This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-33878417
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Barnsley woman's Facebook letter goes viral | Barnsley woman's Facebook letter goes viral |
(35 minutes later) | |
A woman's open letter to an "idiot" van driver who heckled her about her weight while she was jogging has been shared online more than 2,000 times. | A woman's open letter to an "idiot" van driver who heckled her about her weight while she was jogging has been shared online more than 2,000 times. |
Lindsey Swift, of Barnsley, said the man sang a "sarcastic" rendition of pop song Big Girl (You Are Beautiful) as he drove past. | Lindsey Swift, of Barnsley, said the man sang a "sarcastic" rendition of pop song Big Girl (You Are Beautiful) as he drove past. |
In the letter on Facebook, the 26-year-old told the driver if he was offended by seeing her running "try driving with your eyes closed". | In the letter on Facebook, the 26-year-old told the driver if he was offended by seeing her running "try driving with your eyes closed". |
She said: "I wanted to have my say." | She said: "I wanted to have my say." |
"Normally I don't get militant about these things, idiots are idiots," the letter continued. | "Normally I don't get militant about these things, idiots are idiots," the letter continued. |
"However, I can see why comments like these might put a person less confident than me off from running, and that is shameful. Everyone starts somewhere. | "However, I can see why comments like these might put a person less confident than me off from running, and that is shameful. Everyone starts somewhere. |
"[But] if my fat arse running (quite slowly I might add, I was shattered) offends you and spoils your journey, try driving with your eyes closed, into a lamppost." | "[But] if my fat arse running (quite slowly I might add, I was shattered) offends you and spoils your journey, try driving with your eyes closed, into a lamppost." |
'Embarrassing situation' | 'Embarrassing situation' |
Ms Swift, who is training for a 10km (six miles) run, said she was heckled near Barnsley on 6 August. | Ms Swift, who is training for a 10km (six miles) run, said she was heckled near Barnsley on 6 August. |
She said: "It was quite an embarrassing situation. | She said: "It was quite an embarrassing situation. |
"Usually I'm not easily hurt, but my boyfriend was running a little bit ahead of me and so he stopped and I had to explain the situation to him. It was quite intimidating. | "Usually I'm not easily hurt, but my boyfriend was running a little bit ahead of me and so he stopped and I had to explain the situation to him. It was quite intimidating. |
"Because he drove past I did not have a chance to respond to him in person. | "Because he drove past I did not have a chance to respond to him in person. |
"Everybody has an opinion about health and things like that but some things, like my body, are not public property and I do not think anybody has the right to make comments like that." | "Everybody has an opinion about health and things like that but some things, like my body, are not public property and I do not think anybody has the right to make comments like that." |
She said she had received numerous messages of support since posting the letter on Friday. | She said she had received numerous messages of support since posting the letter on Friday. |
Clare Wright wrote: "Well said Lindsey. You're doing fab! It's awful. I hate running round where I live because of the hecklers!" | Clare Wright wrote: "Well said Lindsey. You're doing fab! It's awful. I hate running round where I live because of the hecklers!" |
Chloe Standish said: "Well said Lindsey!! You keep going girl you're doing brilliant!! And you're beautiful inside and out." |
Previous version
1
Next version