A CHINGFORD florist whose husband was killed in a tragic road crash has raised nearly £70,000 for a guide dogs charity in his memory.

Sue Ratcliffe, who runs the Flower Mill in Hatch Lane, has raised the funds as a tribute to her husband Gary, who died after a motorist crashed into the cycle he was riding in Old Harlow, Essex.

She chose to support Guide Dogs for the Blind because Gary had sponsored a puppy just before his death in 2004.

Each puppy costs £5,000 to buy and train and, through the efforts of family and friends, Sue has so far raised enough to buy 14 for the charity.

The 43-year-old said: “When we set out to do this we thought we might be able to raise enough to buy a few dogs.

“But never in our wildest dreams did we think we would be coming up to our 14th within six years – it is a phenomenal amount of money that has been raised.

“Gary would have been immensely proud. When he sponsored the first puppy, he saw it as giving someone their chance to get their eyes back..

“His passion to raise that money has spurred us all on to keep it going in his memory and we feel a little bit of Gary goes with every pup we buy.”

The fundraising began after Gary's death and there are now a number of regular annual events, including a music tribute night and a golf day.

The fund was the first of its kind in the UK and there are now more than 150 similar tribute funds.

Supporters of the fund are now gearing up for their annual sponsored walk, which will take place on May 29.

This sees friends and family members take part in a 20-mile walk from Harlow to Sue's shop in Hatch Lane.

Each of the pups that have been donated to the charity so far have been given names which link to Gary in some way, such as Gibson, named after his Gibson guitar and Lloyd, which was his middle name.

Sue paid tribute to the hard work of everyone who has supported the fund over the years.

“It is amazing,” she said. “Friends and family have supported me right from the very start.

“I come up with the ideas, but it is very much a team effort. I wouldn't be anything without the people that back me.

“I'm very proud that we can do this for Gary and it keeps him in everyone's mind, because he was too special to be forgotten.

“He was an amazing person – one of the real good guys.”

Anyone who would like to give a donation to the fund can call into the flower shop, or send cheques payable to Guide Dogs for the Blind to the Flower Mill, 28 Hatch Lane, Chingford, E4 6LQ.

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