Used candles turned into stoves for Ukraine
A retired goldsmith spent 18 months supplying thousands of candles to war-damaged parts of Ukraine.
Mark Stevens from Ludlow, Shropshire, collects candles from churches and shops and uses the wax from the candles to make temporary stoves for servicemen and civilians.
He explained that many communities across the country were without electricity and heat, so candles played an important role and could be used in shelters.
“It’s the idea of being in a dark, cold space, no light, no heat, and it’s something very simple,” he said.
Stevens uses the candles to make temporary stoves which are then distributed to Ukraine [BBC]
“People throw away candles every day, so it’s a good thing to recycle.”
Stevens collected around thousands of kilos of used candles from cathedrals, churches and charity shops, so he could personally deliver them to the front.
So far, he has visited Ukraine four times and also sends candles and stoves to the country through a charity.
“It would heat a room,” he said of one of the candles.
“It could be used in a shelter somewhere.”
Candles are collected from charity shops, cathedrals and churches [BBC]
Stephens also supplies generators and even vehicles to the Ukrainians.
“It is easy to ignore what is happening on our doorstep, and the destruction, waste and environmental risk that war creates,” he said.
Churchwarden Lesley Harling said: “I think it’s amazing. Apart from everything else, the amount of work that goes into it.”
Many Ukrainian refugees live in Ludlow, and three of them work in the cafe at St Laurence’s Church.
“I really appreciate his work,” said Yuliia Shapoval.
“People need to feel that…someone wants to help them.”
Yuliia Shapoval said she appreciated Mark Stevens’ work [BBC]
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