Candles to Ukraine: Sheffield man's drive for unwanted candles to bring warmth to war-torn Ukraine

Graves Park resident Bob Teasdale has set up over a dozen collection points in pubs, shops and supermarkets for the ‘Candles to Ukraine’ effort.

Bob, aged 59, who volunteers for the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB), said he is already “blown away” by people’s response to the scheme and has a ‘carload’ of boxes ready to go.

Bob said: “It started with sending some emails out to churches just to see if they had any spares, and the response has been amazing.

“Sometimes I get full blocks of candles, sometimes just half a carrier bag of old tea lights!

“Churches have loads of old candles of course, but some were giving out whole cardboard boxes of them.

“I told people about it and they said they wanted to help too, so I’ve set up the collection points.

“I think people take to it because it’s a small, concrete thing that someone can do they know will help someone else.”

The spare candles and wax are sorted in Huddersfield where they are sent to Ukraine and refashioned into emergency candles, each one up to six inches wide.

Bob said: “They are melted and reformed into these big blocks that burn for hours and hours with a big flame.

“Of course, in Ukraine, if you’re without power or huddled up somewhere in the cold and dark, even a candle will provide light and warmth, and keep the temperature above freezing.

“It feels really positive. This alone isn’t going to stop the war but people in Yorkshire have been huge supporters of Ukraine in my experience.

“A lot of people want to help but don’t know how, and this is a simple thing someone can do that doesn’t cost extra. Plus, I’ll come to collect them!”

The cut off date for collections is January 24.

Collection points can be found at:

Central Library, Sheffield City Centre

Norton Country Club, S8

Morrisons - Meadowhead

Abbey Pub, S8

Woodseats Library

The White Lion, Heeley

Sainsbury’s - Archer Road

Big Tesco - Abbeydale Road

Kringle, Bents Green

Ecclesall Library

The Cherry Tree pub, Carterknowle

Banner Cross Post Office

Endcliffe Park café

The Greystones Pub

The Robin Hood Pub, Millhouses

Coal Aston Church, Dronfield

Williams of Woodseats

Buzz Bingo, Parkway

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