A FLORIST who has raised thousands of pounds for charity since her husband's death has been rewarded for her efforts.


Sue Ratcliffe and her sister Nina Bradfield have raised an unprecedented £112,096 for Guide Dogs charity since her husband Gary died when he was hit by a car in 2004.


Mrs Ratcliffe, 45, chose the charity because Gary had just sponsored a puppy to be trained as a guide dog before he was killed.


And the owner of Flower Mill florists, in Hatch Lane in Chingford, shook hands with TV presenter Adrian Chiles when he named her Fundraiser of the Year at the charity's annual award ceremony at Merchant Taylors Hall in London on Thursday, July 19.

She said: "It's brilliant, we are so thrilled. It means 22 dogs can now be guide dogs. It means a lot to us and to Gary's memory. It gives you goosebumps when you hear from someone on the receiving end of one of the guide dogs and they tell you what a difference it's made to their life."

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