Staff and volunteers at a Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice charity shop in Lampeter were treated to a delightful and unexpected royal visit that left them beaming with joy. On Tuesday, February 3, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, patron of Tŷ Hafan, made an impromptu stop at the shop following an official engagement at Melin Tregwynt Woollen Mill in West Wales.
A Heartwarming Surprise for the Team
Maree Thomas, regional sales manager for Tŷ Hafan, was present in the Lampeter shop during the surprise visit. She recounted the special moments, noting that although the visit was brief, the Princess took the time to personally greet each individual. "She spoke with our deputy store manager, Jenny, and our volunteers, Krystyna and Rachel, saying she couldn't be this close without popping in once she saw our store next to her official engagement," Maree explained.
Key Messages from the Royal Patron
During her visit, the Princess of Wales shared several heartfelt sentiments with the team:
- She emphasised the importance of local communities supporting one another.
- She recognised how vital charity shops are within their communities and for hospice families.
- She expressed her admiration for the hospice's work, recalling her recent visit and describing it as a beautiful place where teams do amazing work.
- She highlighted the value of volunteers, praising them as amazing and essential to the charity sector.
Engaging Moments and Personal Touches
Maree detailed the Princess's engaging demeanour: "She thanked both the volunteers and staff, chatted while taking photos, and insisted on quickly seeing the haberdashery section despite her team advising her she didn't have time. She also signed our customer comments book." As the visit concluded, deputy store manager Jenny joked about almost hugging the royal visitor, to which HRH warmly replied, "Please do!"
Although there was no time for browsing or purchases, the Princess spent approximately ten minutes with the team before stepping outside to greet the gathered crowd. "We were all over the moon and on a real high following this special event," Maree added, expressing the team's thrill at the unplanned but deeply appreciated visit.
Leadership's Gratitude and Future Hopes
Irfon Rees, chief executive of Tŷ Hafan, echoed the sentiments of joy and appreciation. "How fantastic that our patron, The Princess of Wales, popped into our shop in Lampeter yesterday and spent time chatting with staff and volunteers. Without doubt, HRH's impromptu visit definitely left everybody overjoyed," he stated.
Rees extended thanks on behalf of everyone at Tŷ Hafan, acknowledging the Princess's ongoing support. "It means such a very great deal, and we're looking forward to being able to welcome the Princess to Tŷ Hafan again in the near future," he concluded, highlighting the positive impact of such royal engagements on the charity's morale and mission.
