LITTLE Tye Kimani and his mum Kate are regular visits to a hospice and have plenty of good reasons to urge people to support one of its charity shops near their home.

Tye, aged three, was born with a variety of difficulties including cerebal palsy, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and visual impairment and has been attending Keech Hospice Care since 2011 after his doctors thought he might not make it.

He and his mum live near the Keech Hospice charity shop in How Wood, Park Street, which is celebrating its first birthday and has managed to raise over £70,000 in its first year.

The store has become a key part of the community with many people donating and visiting. The money raised from the shop goes directly to helping local families.

Tye is one of the children who has needed that help. While at Keech he enjoys the hydrotherapy pool, massage and music therapy as well having overnight stays giving his mum some respite care.

Kate said: “Keech is an amazing place and we love coming here. Having moved to England in 2009 from Kenya I don’t have any family here. The staff have turned into my family and give me all the support I need.

“Times can be really hard, especially when Tye is really sick and in hospital, but Keech don’t forget you and will call us just to make sure we are doing ok. It’s so reassuring knowing that there are professionals who know exactly how to treat your child that will be there for you through thick and thin.

“I don’t know what I would have done without Keech and their support, I just hope that people continue to support Keech at their shops. Spending time here I have met many families who Keech have helped throughout their child’s illness and then bereavement and it’s so important that this service continues.”

How Wood shop manager, Lisa Adams, added: “It has been an incredible year and I would like to say a big thank you to all of the volunteers and people who have contributed to the store. We really appreciate the support from the local community who have helped us care for local families. We really have been embraced by the local community resulting us in being one of the busiest Keech shops in Hertfordshire.

“Keech helps families like Tye and Kate make the most of the precious time they have left. While many of the children will have only a short life, they all still have plenty of living to do and the money raised from the shop helps to do this.”

Donations to the shop can be made at any time during opening hours.