A Welsh celebrity has opened a unique shop inside a Penarth charity this afternoon, Monday, March 11.

Casualty star and Marie Curie ambassador Suzanne Packer officially opened the ‘Gift that Matters.’ Store for Marie Curie in Penarth.

The charity shop on Penarth is offering customers a chance to purchase a gift that matters from March 11 to March 24.

Ms Packer was delighted to open the new shop during the Great Daffodil Appeal.

Penarth Times: left to right: Jacqui Woolley, Adam Robinson, Dawn Porter, Suzanne Packer, Dave Slater, Simon Meek. Picture: Marie Curie left to right: Jacqui Woolley, Adam Robinson, Dawn Porter, Suzanne Packer, Dave Slater, Simon Meek. Picture: Marie Curie (Image: Marie Curie)She said: “It has been a pleasure to officially open the Marie Curie ‘Gift that Matters’ shop in Penarth during the Great Daffodil Appeal.

“Meeting the staff and volunteers and hearing stories about the care provided in the region for people living with a terminal illness has been inspiring.

“I am encouraging everyone across the Vale to visit the shop in Penarth and buy a ‘gift that Matters.’ Every donation will make an enormous difference to Marie Curie and enable them to continue to provide vital end-of-life care.”

The Penarth shop will showcase meaningful and emotive items that tell the story of how the UK’s leading end-of-life charity provides care and support during challenging times.

Penarth Times: Inside the unique shop at Marie Curie in Penarth. Picture: Marie CurieInside the unique shop at Marie Curie in Penarth. Picture: Marie Curie (Image: Marie Curie)Shoppers who ‘buy’ an item will be given a thank you card they can keep to give to a loved one as a gift.

Visitors to the shop can also speak to Marie Curie staff or volunteers to find out more about Marie Curie services or support.

Siwan Seaman, Medical Director at the Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and the Vale said: “We hope everyone will take the time to visit the shop and buy essential items to help support people with any illness they are likely to die from and those close to them.

“In 2022/23 we provided expert end-of-life care and support for 752 people at our Hospice in Penarth and 2,301 in their own homes across the Vale.

Ms Seaman talks about the March fundraiser, the Great Daffodil Appeal.

Penarth Times: Left to right: Marie Curie Chief Innovation Income and Engagement Officer- Maria Novell, Suzanne Packer and Siwan Seaman, Medical Director at the Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff, and the Vale. Picture: Marie CurieLeft to right: Marie Curie Chief Innovation Income and Engagement Officer- Maria Novell, Suzanne Packer and Siwan Seaman, Medical Director at the Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff, and the Vale. Picture: Marie Curie (Image: Marie Curie)“During March, Marie Curie holds its flagship fundraiser the Great Daffodil Appeal, so it is a great time to buy a ‘Gift that Matters’ and find out more about our work in the region.

"From you, or in the name of a loved one, everything you buy supports those who need it most.”

At the shop, visitors can speak with Marie Curie staff or volunteers to learn more about the charity's services and how to support it.

This includes information about the Marie Curie Information and Support Line, bereavement support, fundraising, volunteering, corporate partnerships, and gifts in wills.