A Scaynes Hill business set up by Lindfield resident Anikka Burton following her cancer diagnosis, has received a national award. Not Another Bunch of Flowers has won the ‘Best Alternative Gift Business’ category in the annual Business Excellence Awards, run by Acquisition International. The awards celebrate businesspeople who have ‘battled, persevered and have coped with the unprecedented change and growth during the pandemic.’

“I’m really chuffed!” said Anikka. “We really pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and the whole team has worked so hard, particularly over the last couple of years since covid hit. “This is recognition of their hard work and dedication and it’s wonderful to have it publicly recognised.” Not Another Bunch of Flowers was set up in 2013 after Anikka was diagnosed with breast cancer. “Friends and family wanted to send me a little something along with messages of support, but just didn’t know what to send - apart from flowers,” said Anikka. “Not many people know that flowers are banned in most hospitals. This inspired me to set up a site selling gift alternatives to flowers, including cancer care packages, hospital hampers and get-well gifts.”

Since then, the business has expanded, moving to Scaynes Hill and offering a range of unique and thoughtful gifts for all occasions including new mums, baby gifts, mums-to-be and presents for birthdays and Christmas. “Our build-your-own gifts and care packages have allowed us to offer even more gifts including seasonal gifts, birthdays, christenings, new homes, weddings, engagements and anniversaries,” added Anikka. “And our corporate packages, with their emphasis on wellbeing, have been hugely popular since the initial lockdown.”