A CANCER survivor from York has helped open a new charity shop in the city.

The new Cancer Research UK shop was launched in Coney Street by Harry Baines, of Fulford Road, along with fundraiser Rachel Speight-McGregor. Both Harry and Rachel took part in television’s Come Dine With Me Christmas special last week.

Harry, 23, who was awarded the title of fundraiser of the year at the 2012 Community Pride Awards, said: “I was thrilled to have been asked to open this lovely new shop. It’s an honour to do it.

“The shop will be a great addition to York, especially for shoppers and tourists who love a bargain.

“With my Santa’s little helpers, our York Group of Friends have been as busy as elves for weeks, working hard to collect as many items as possible and storing them in their garages ready for today’s opening.”

It is the first Cancer Research UK shop in York, and brings the total number in the UK to 564.

“Donations of clothes or other items are welcome, along with volunteers to help run the shop.

In 2010, when he was 19, Harry developed a lump at the bottom of his chin and was diagnosed with paediatric follicular lymphoma – a very rare form of cancer. He underwent 12 sessions of intensive radiotherapy, and was then given the all-clear.

He said: “Mine was such a rare cancer that the doctors said I was the only person in my age group, in the UK, that had been diagnosed with it.

“It was a complete shock; you don’t think that it will ever happen to you.

“But thanks to research, I am still here.

“I am so grateful for the treatment that saved my life. Success stories like mine would not be possible without the work of Cancer Research UK and now I do my best to give something back, which today even means dressing up as Santa.”

To find out more about Cancer Research UK’s shops and shopping, visit cancerresearch.uk/shop