SHE has suffered from leukaemia for seven years but that has not stopped a Watford woman fulfilling her ambition of opening her own shop.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Mrs Susan Hayes, 32, will launch and open The Flower Box a florist and gift shop in Vicarage Road.

It was when Mrs Hayes was diagnosed with lung cancer her ambition first began to take shape.

She said: "I thought if I get over that, then I am going to do something special and exciting. Something to make an impact.

"I got over that and now I have had leukaemia for seven years and still receive regular treatment twice a week.

"But I am quite a stubborn person.

"Seven years ago, I was told I had a year to live but I just thought that is not going to happen.

"I just got on with it and, touch wood, I should be OK."

Mrs Hayes used to work for English Heritage and had to give up when she became ill but still wanted to do something from home.

When a shop unit near her home became available, her hopes and ideas came a step closer to reality.

She said: "I go to Mount Vernon twice a week for radiotherapy. I am used to it now. Some people say to me that they don't know how I do it and that they feel humble.

"I don't mean to make them feel humble. I just deal with it. It's the way I am.

"I cannot have children because of the radiotherapy so in a way this shop is like my baby."

During the past six weeks, Mrs Hayes and her husband have worked hard to totally refurbish the shop, which was originally a finishing room for the printers next door.

Now, said Mrs Hayes,, she has a large shop space for customers to come in and have a browse.

She said: "A lot of florists can be quite intimidating but I wanted somewhere people can just come and browse, have a look, relax and not necessarily feel pressured into buying anything.

"The shop is big and modern and we do flowers for the home or as presents and have a consultation room for people who want arrangements for weddings or funerals.

"We also have gifts such as candles on sale."

Another ongoing venture being explored by Mrs Hayes is producing a special gift or bouquet from which part of the proceeds will be donated to Cancer Research UK.

She said: "Cancer Research have done so much for me. They have always been really supportive and I want to give something back to help them."

At tomorrow's launch every visitor to The Flower Box will receive a free gift from Mrs Hayes and there will be a raffle to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Mrs Hayes said: "The aim of the shop is not just about making money.

"That is not my primary reason for doing it. It is more about the achievement and fulfilling an ambition."

For information about The Flower Box, telephone 01923 232260.

June 17, 2002 11:00