Soon after my husband died, I realised I needed to fill that gap with a new venture. With the arrival of my grandchildren, I went on the hunt for tables and chairs I could use when they came to visit. I found this very difficult.

The ones I found were either very expensive, not very strong and most of them were plastic. This was when I decided to start my own business.

My first task was to find someone to make the furniture. Through Aged Concern, I was put in touch with a retired engineer, Bill Wagner. He has made the tables and chairs ever since. His work is meticulous.

A lot of the timber is off-cuts, mainly white pine and custom wood tops. He glues the wood together and then uses screws to strengthen the final product.

The tables are 60cm square and 50cm high. I also sell little stools. These are ideal for parents to sit at the table with their children.

I paint to order and have a good selection of colours as well as wood stains. I can also stencil the children's names on the back of their chairs.

The proceeds of my business go to child cancer. I have enjoyed my little venture from day one and the furniture has proved very popular.