I WOULD like to thank Elspeth Woollen for her comments regarding the on-going fight to save the Chalet School.

I shudder to think of a life without the support that the Chalet School has offered myself and my autistic son Allen.

I am sure that without its invaluable support and help during these formative years, and indeed, God willing, in the years to come, where we would be.

I fear that there would have been a real possibility of my son being in care, due to the lack of help from other sources regarding this debilitating condition, not just for the sufferer but for the extended families.

It is, following the initial diagnosis, a time for grieving for this "loss," and each person handles this loss in a different way. My energies were ploughed into where would he best fit in but I know others handle it differently.

I would love to think that there may be a day when Allen would be able to go to mainstream school but, practically, I do not ever expect this to happen.

His autism is such that it restricts his ability to handle even the most basic social situation.

Thank you to all who have helped us in the petition campaign and for all forms of support that have been offered we all really appreciate it and, on behalf of the staff, children, management, governors and friends of Chalet, thank you for helping save this wonderful school.

KAREN TURNER

Walcot