SIR — I'm writing this as a mum with a daughter with CFS/ME.

She has had it for five years and for a long time we didn't even know what was wrong. The doctors assumed it was everything but CFS/ME.

She is a beautiful, intelligent, fiery teenager who refused to accept this label of CFS/ME, but there were times (and they have been many) when the fight in her would fade and she would be exhausted, too tired to sleep, eat, read (and she is a passionate reader) socialise, even talk.

She was unable to be a regular teenager doing the stuff usual kids do.

Then Dulverton gym opened and we made enquires about her using it. Would she benefit? How would she benefit? How would they look after her? What was the best equipment to use?

All of these questions were answered by the instructors, Nicola and Trisha, and I needn't have worried (not that I was an overbearing mum!)

She was very shy to start with and would have put her earphones in and got on with it but Dulverton people are too friendly not to speak and they started to offer encouragement.

Trisha was an absolute angel, guiding her, encouraging her, all very very gently, and over a short time she started to get stronger, more confident.

But the biggest, most wonderful thing was that she started to believe in herself. She and the gym have done that.

Sometimes, if the CFS/ME returns (and it does, from time to time) she has to give the the gym up for a while to rest more.

But she knows she will be back. Or rather she did until 1610 decided to close it. Now what is going to happen?

It's not about number crunching, it's people's lives – it's people trying to make the best of their lives, it's people trying to improve their lives, to feel good about themselves and to pass that on to others.

Please don't let the gym close. For my daughter's sake. And for the sake of many other people who have their own personal reasons for needing the gym to stay open.

And for the wonderful people of Exmoor, who rarely ask for anything, for the minority . . . let them be counted!!

Teresa Williams,

Battleton,

Dulverton.