Liverpool Cathedral has donated a large collection of used and waste candles to help the people of Ukraine throughout the war with Russia. The cathedral was contacted to make their donation via Chorley & District Support for Ukraine. All the donated candles will be melted down and created into food tin heaters using a mix of cardboard and the wax.
The war in Ukraine has left millions throughout the country without heating, electricity and lighting and the repurposing of these used candles will act as a life line for the Ukrainian people in the East European winter where temperatures reach -20 degrees.
Richard Staples and Stuart Clewlow who are actively involved with Ukrainian support groups across the North West Richard has been involved with Ukrainian aid charities for the last three years and Stuart, the founder of Chorley & District Support for Ukraine set up the charity four years ago in 2022.
Since February 2022, Chorley & District Support for Ukraine have held over 400 sessions at their donation centre to receive and gather aid and have raised funds to buy ten vehicles so far to to donate to Ukraine for them to be used medical evacuation vehicles – including a decommissioned NHS Ambulance. They have processed over 1,000 pallets worth of various supplies and sent over 1,500 crutches, 750+ bicycles and 600 boxes of scrap wax and candles – which equates to just over 4 tonnes of material to recycle for making trench candles.
The candles donated by Liverpool Cathedral were collected on Friday 6th February and will be driven to Ukraine on 14th February.
Commenting, Stuart said:
“I would like to thank Liverpool Cathedral for the very kind donation of candles for us. These candles will help provide light and warmth and will remind the people of Ukraine that we stand in solidarity with them. Although we can’t influence the military aspects of the war, we can hopefully improve things for those being affected by it and if we can all continue to do at least a little bit, together we really can make a big difference.”
If any churches across our diocese find themselves with spare, unwanted and waste candles, or things that will be of critical use to the people of Ukraine, you can get in touch with Chorley & District Support for Ukraine here and view what donations will make the biggest impact.
