LIDEN’S Chalet School had a flavour of the Caribbean for the annual fete to raise funds for equipment for the children.

The school, which caters for children with autism between the ages of three and 11, hopes to raise enough money to install a new trampoline and static standing water table, following on from the successes of previous years’ events.

This year the day had a pirate theme with fancy dress competitions, face painting and games for families who dropped in.

Kathie Bryan, headteacher, said: “The whole thing is to raise money for a sunken trampoline, so we can dig out a pit and install a trampoline.

“That way we are not being risk assessed on a trampoline that is four feet high, and it is a lot safer for the children.

“Our children love to bounce, obviously all children do, but particularly those with autism, which is who we have here.

“We are also hoping to get enough money for a static standing water tray for the early years.

“We have got everything going on, including face painting with a superhero and pirate theme. It’s just to get everybody involved, and there is a fancy dress competition for the children.

“Most years we do a summer fete for fundraising, which has helped us get plenty of things for the children in the past, such as gym equipment and a fun set when the early years department got bigger.

“We do get a great deal of support from our parents which we are really grateful for, and they are all lovely families. This year we opened it out to everybody and invited people from the whole community to come and set up stalls at the school.”

She said although the event marked the end of the summer term, there were more activities planned for the holidays.

“We finish in one-and-a-half weeks for the summer, when we have our Aiming High play schemes for special needs children, so there will be various clubs and events going on,” she added.

“But the children have all been fabulous today and really enjoyed it. They feel secure here, and even though some have found it a little strange because the school looks different and we all look different, they had a great time.

“They’ve all been really happy and enjoyed it.”