A severely autistic 10-year-old boy, who was banned from playing on a ”life-enhancing” swing at an East Neuk caravan park, looks like being able to continue using it after all thanks to The Courier.
Jamie McLaughlan’s mum Nicola confirmed that management at Elie Holiday Park are looking at options that could allow Jamie to keep his swing.
Nicola (36), from Motherwell, said: ”I just wanted to thank you (The Courier) so much for printing Jamie’s story. Kevan Lodge, the director, has contacted us and suggested two options the first being that we move pitch, to allow more room for the swing.
”The second is that we meet in the new year to discuss a more suitable area on our existing pitch to place the swing. Thank you for all your help.”
Jamie’s parents were ”gutted” to receive a letter from park bosses telling them they would not be allowed to put the swing back up when the holiday season starts in March.
For years the youngster, who has limited speech and struggles with social interaction, has enjoyed weekend trips to the family-owned caravan.
However, his mum told how her son had been banned from using the wooden swing, apparently after other park users coplained after they were not allowed to put up swings.
Our story provoked a huge wave of support for Jamie and his family, with scores of people leaving comments pleading with the park owners to come up with a solution.
Elie Holiday Park is owned by Abbeyford Leisure. When initially contacted last month, Mr Lodge, the sales and customer services director, confirmed the swing could not be put back up.
On Wednesday, however, a spokesman said: ”We have given the family two options on where the swing can be safely located. We look forward to them visiting the site to make their choice.”