I pride myself in giving back to the community through various avenues which include being part of the Candlelighters’ Team 500.
Leeds-based children’s cancer charity, Candlelighters, have been supporting children and families who are affected by childhood cancer in Yorkshire for over 40 years. Each year, around 150 children in Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer. When a child receives a diagnosis, lives are turned upside down in an instant, not just for the child but for their parents, grandparents, siblings and friends. The journey post-diagnosis is long and challenging: financially, physically and emotionally. Candlelighters’ mission is to bring light and hope to these families. Their aims are to:
- Provide financial, emotional & practical support to families affected by childhood cancer across Yorkshire.
- Deliver a range of high-quality family support services for as long as families need them, from the point of diagnosis, during and after treatment, and for families who are sadly bereaved.
- Support and strengthen the NHS centre of excellence in Yorkshire.
- Support and develop research which improves treatments, quality of life and overall survival rates of childhood cancer.
To help raise funds for Candlelighters we regularly hold fundraising events here at Supplies For Candles. Recently we held a Halloween costume competition with all profits raised going to Candlelighters. I myself wasn’t able to dress up so as a forfeit, my wonderful staff ‘egged’ me, and I rounded up our donation to £1000.
I’m looking forward to our Christmas fundraising plans too, we have lots in store!
Education
At the beginning of the year, I spoke to over 130 sixth form students at Wath Academy. Having a local lad tell them its possible, in a short amount of time, to be very successful, going through the same courses they’ve done, and even working in the same pub a few of the students there were working in at their age, I’m hoping my message got through to them. I truly hope my talk with those young people gave them the drive to work a little harder, be as ambitious as possible and set their goals sky high!
I look forward to sharing my experiences with more young entrepreneurs in the future!
Giveaways
2020 has been a very difficult year for everyone. During the first lockdown, we donated extra strength liquid soap to the elderly and vulnerable to help combat local shortages.
To also help those affected financially during the pandemic we donated over 2000 candle business start-up kits which included all the ingredients needed to make candles and a comprehensive business plan to help guide those in building their business.