SHAP (The Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership) collect candles and candle ends from people to send to those struggling without power in Ukraine. At their warehouse unit, close to Swindon Railway Station, they make trench candles to provide a heat source for cold Ukrainians - winter temperatures can dip to an alarming minus 29 C - as well as creating large blocks of wax from odd ends that are sent to volunteers in Ukraine who make huge numbers of candles for the local population. All in all they have probably sent around 30 tonnes of candles to Ukraine.Sadly the need is still there. The infrastructure in Ukraine is under immense pressure and huge areas of the country are regularly without electricity.A second collection of used or unwanted candles is being made in the VaCE. There is also a request for used clean 400g food tins, for example tins that have held pears or mixed beans. Please check that a tin does not have any white plastic lining inside (eg tinned tomatoes), as these are not able to be used. Boxes to leave donated items will be placed at the back of churches in Blockley, Ebrington, Bourton on the Hill and Chipping Campden this week. It is planned to take candles to Swindon in the middle of February. Please look out any candles you don't want any more and donate them and also keep back any suitable cans from your recycling bins and add them to the donation boxes. For further information or to arrange a drop off, contact Naomi Morris - email BOHChurch@Outlook.com
