The golden boy of American pop may have had his image tarnished lately but he can still make dreams come true for his fans – and for one young Port Talbot girl he remains an icon.
And now 13-year-old Caitlin Williams has her very own Justin – a life-size cutout – which she won in a charity competition at The Fragrance Shop, in Swansea’s busy Quadrant Shopping Centre.
The store ran the competition for its charity, Rays of Sunshine which aims to make dreams come true for young people with life-threatening illnesses.
The Ysgol Glan Afan pupil took delivery of her prize at the store and said: “I’ve got lots of posters and souvenirs and I’ve seen him live three times but this is the best of all.
“I know he’s been in the news lately but I still really like him and enjoy his music and I’m never going to stop.
“My friends all like him but I’m a real Belieber and it’s going to be great to have this in my room at home.
“I just love his voice and how he looks and the way he has become so famous.”
Caitlin, the daughter of Scott and Claire Williams, has an older sister, Lauren, aged 16, and Caitlin said: “She likes his songs but she’s not as mad on him as I am.
“I actually entered the competition about six times, filling out a form and donating £1 to the charity each time but it’s a really good cause and it was worth it to have won.”
The money raised by The Fragrance Shop will help Rays of Sunshine take cousins Liam and Lauren Phillips on a dream week-long trip to Disneyworld in Florida this summer.
Liam, aged 18, from St Thomas and Lauren, 17, from Mayhill, both live with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic life limiting condition which affects their lungs and digestive system and means they need daily medication including antibiotics and twice daily physiotherapy.
Karen Strudwick, Manager of The Fragrance Shop, said: “Caitlin was so excited which was great to see – she had to leave him here for a while to go shopping but she was just as thrilled when she came back.
“She’s a lovely girl and they’re a really nice family so we’re so pleased she has won and the competition was in aid of such a worthy charity and the money raised has gone to support two local young people too.”
Caitlin’s mum Claire said: “Caitlin really is a massive Justin Bieber fan. Her room is a shrine to him and she is thrilled to have won this prize.”
Ian Kirkpatrick, Manager of the Quadrant Centre, said: “The Justin Bieber cut-out is so lifelike, it’s as if he’s there beside you – you half expect him to burst into song.
“I’m sure Caitlin will enjoy his company and the raffle has been a really good idea to help this marvellous charity make a dream come true for Liam and Lauren.”
A contribution of 5p from every transaction at The Fragrance Shop goes to Rays of Sunshine. The donations from The Fragrance Shop coupled with the raffle entries totals over £200,000 raised for the charity.
