A STORE manager in an Ammanford opticians has raised more than £150 for a cancer charity by shaving off his beard.

Simon Smiriglia, from the Specsavers store on Quay Street, ditched the beard to raise funds for Specsavers’ charity partner of the year, Teenage Cancer Trust Cymru.

The money raised will fund five hours of care from a Teenage Cancer Trust nurse, who specialises in the best treatment for the cancers that affect 13-24 year olds.

"Typically people raise charity funds for charity by growing moustaches for Movember or beards for Decembeard, but I thought I’d mix it up a bit and get rid of mine instead," Mr Smiriglia says.

"Before shaving it off I had my beard for around15 years and it became a part of my style. It feels strange that it’s gone."

The Ammanford opticians has joined forces with 39 other Specsavers stores across south and mid Wales to raise awareness for its charity of the year, Teenage Cancer Trust Cymru.

Since 2009, the charity has provided life-changing support and services to hundreds of young people with cancer.

It supports young people with the help of expert nurses, support teams, and hospital units, including one at the University Hospital of Wales.

Kevin McCarthy, store director at Specsavers Ammanford, says: "The support provided by Teenage Cancer Trust is, sadly, much needed by many young people who are living with cancer.

"They should be focusing on having fun and living their lives to the full, not battling cancer, but this isn’t the case for all young people, which is why we’re committed to raising funds for such a valuable cause."