AN 11-year-old Swansea city fan has opened a new city charity shop, after using its services for seven years.
Rhys Cachin, of Brynhyfryd, opened Ty Hafan's 23rd store on the city's Kingsway this morning.
Cutting the ribbon at 10.30am with shop manager, Mandy-Thomas Caddick, he received a round of applause from the crowd gathering outside, eager to see what bargains they could pick up.
Rhys suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and was referred to Ty Hafan, the family hospice for young lives, in 2005.
"I'm really excited about opening the shop," he said.
He added that he loved everything about the hospice when asked what his favourite part of the facility, in Sully, near Cardiff, was.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a condition which affects around 1 in 3,600 boys in the UK and is usually detected before the age of five. It causes progressive muscle degeneration starting with a weakness of the legs and pelvis which gradually spreads to all muscles of the body including major organs, often leading to respiratory problems.
The new shop will see an expansion of the usual high quality clothes and bric a brac the charity has become renowned for, to include larger household items including furniture. A cream table and chairs on display in the window received a lot of attention from those waiting outside, and the store had its first sale within a minute of customers being let into the shop.
A spokeswoman for Ty Hafan said: "The bright and cheerful environment of the shop typifies the whole philosophy of the charity which has provided care and support to over 500 life-limited children, young people and their families from across Wales since it first opened in 1999.
"Since that time TÅ· Hafan's services have developed to a point that much of that support is now provided out in the communities and in the heart of the family home."
Catherine Griffiths, retail operations manager, said it was imperative to build on the success of the shops to provide a significant contribution to the running costs of the hospice, following an increase in families and children needing their help.
"The Manager and staff at the new shop will give a warm welcome to people who wish to donate goods as well as customers looking to buy and there are always opportunities for those who would like to help by volunteering a little of their time," she said.
Anyone wishing to volunteer can pop into the Swansea store to speak to the manager.
