A CHINGFORD florist who lost her husband in a tragic road accident is doing a sponsored walk to raise cash for one of his favourite charities.

Sue Ratcliffe, of the Flower Mill florist shop in Hatch Lane, hopes others will join her in going the extra mile to help the charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind.

She will be walking a 20-mile route from her home in Harlow to the Prince of Wales pub in Hatch Lane, Chingford, on Saturday May 27.

The walk is hoped to raise enough cash to complete a £5,000 appeal to buy a puppy for the guide dogs charity.

Mrs Ratcliffe, 39, said: "My husband Gary had been raising money with his Freemasons group for this charity, and it was really close to his heart. Since he died we have continued the fundraising.

"It costs around £5,000 to buy and train a puppy. In the past couple of years we raised enough cash to buy three puppies and hope this walk will raise enough to buy a fourth dog."

Friends and family members of Mrs Ratcliffe are joining her on the walk and she is inviting other people along or to give their support by sponsorship.

Mr Ratcliffe, 42, died on June 7, 2004, when a motorist ploughed into the cycle he was riding in Harlow.

"It was such a massive tragedy to lose Gary but I have been trying to do something positive in his memory. I know the charity held a very special place in his heart and I hope we'll be able to keep on helping where we can," Mrs Ratcliffe said.

Anyone who would like to give a donation 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.