A South Yorkshire entrepreneur has this week joined forces with a world champion Ukrainian boxer who was visiting the UK, with special permission to support the relief effort in the Ukraine. 30-year-old Nicky Story, Founder of Supplies for Candles, has stepped up to support the Ukraine relief effort this week, contributing over £60K worth of stock having responded to the latest request for assistance by the Ukrainian Government, centred around candle supplies and the material for making candles, as the country prepares for the winter in amongst severe power outages.
Mexborough-based business, Supplies for Candles – the largest online company in Europe within the industry, is donating 50,000 (3 arctic truck loads) of blue and yellow candle jars to the region- totalling £60K retail value. They are also coordinating with their suppliers Chorley based Kerax who have pledged to donate 5 tonnes of wax and Dorset based Symwick who has pledged to donate 50,000 wicks and to go with the candle supplies, which sees the whole effort valued at a retail price of £100K from small business support.
The boxer, WBO champ, Sergey Fedchenko, who has been raising awareness and donations through boxing masterclasses across Yorkshire met Nicky, owner of Supplies for Candles through a mutual contact via Nicky’s accountant and The Supplies for Candles founder knew he had to get involved.
No stranger to philanthropic endeavours, over the past few years serial entrepreneur, e-commerce expert and multi-millionaire running four successful businesses, Nicky has donated hundreds of thousands to charities; in monetary donations, stock and staff time investment.
Nicky, who started his business in his garage just 5 years ago and now turns over £15million said: “After seeing the horrific stories on the news, and feeling powerless to help, once I heard via Ivan, that the Ukrainian Government had requested assistance with candles and candle supplies, I knew I could help and had to help. Being able to help light tens of thousands of homes during a time of unimaginable hardship is the very least I could do to show my support.”
Sergey Fedchenko said: “People in Ukraine feel under threat every second from Russian aggression. Even today over 80 missiles attacked civilian homes and critical infrastructure and now, thousands of homes remain without electricity. Thank you, Nicky and your company, for the important help for my country! Everywhere I feel friendly support for our charity project”
Transport and logistics are being arranged by Peter Sawrij of Thomas Coombs Limited (Chartered Accountants) via Orchard Green Limited and Halifax based Ivan Kuzio who works with Ukrainians in Calderdale. Peter, whose grandfather was Ukrainian, was approached by Ivan to use his network of connections to highlight individuals/companies that could offer assistance. Peter said ‘’As soon as Ivan came to see me I knew I had to approach Nicky as he would be just the right person to help.’’ Peters’ family have already organised four artic loads of relief calling on local Calderdale residents and through Peters’ network of clients at Thomas Coombs Limited.
Supplies For Candles sits behind the success of thousands of small business owners within the growing craft industry. The business has doubled in size over the last 2 years having invested over £150,000 into its premises in 2020, the group hopes to see continued growth into 2023.
