I am Ruth’s son, Nic, and having grown up around perfumery my entire life, I believe that perfume has the power to positively influence our emotions. This is partly the backdrop to the story behind the CANDLES FOR KEY WORKERS that we have just created for charity.
As a family business, we have been hugely impacted by the coronavirus. Our retailers such as Fortnum & Mason in London, and Fenwick Bond Street, have all closed their doors. We found ourselves out of control of our business which has been scary and worrying. We are fortunate that we are able to withstand the shock to the perfume industry for a few months, but if it goes on for longer then we will be in trouble.
As we have watched the world grind to a halt, we’ve been desperate to do something positive – using our skills in perfumery to bring some hope and joy.
I have been been hearing stories from friends who have been working on the frontline- in the NHS, working in shops, and in hospices and care homes. Harrowing is the word I’d describe to summarise some of their experiences.
I became really worried about the impact the coronavirus is having on the mental health of our key workers. Having had my own flirtations with mental health challenges, I know that it is not just now that this will be happening up and down the country, but in several months and even years time. There is a risk that the damage that this is doing to our key workers’ mental health will be felt for a long time.
I feel like it is our responsibility to do something to help protect our key workers now and in the future. This led to the idea of creating CANDLES FOR KEY WORKERS, with 100% of profits from the sale of these candles going to ourfrontline.org. Our Frontline is a collaboration between charities Mind, Shout, Samaritans, Hospice UK and supported by The Royal Foundation, and is there for any key worker who needs support around the clock.
The 2 fragrances we have created are uplifting and full of mood enhancing ingredients. They are accompanied by 2 beautiful and joyous watercolour images, painted by the incredibly talented Emma Benz who is one of our favourite local artists.
Inspired by our heroic frontline workers, this fragrance of AMBER & TUBEROSE is a happy and joyful scent. Lighting it is a symbol of our appreciation for all frontline workers – from carers, garbage removal workers, shop workers to NHS staff.
Inspired by those who are feeling lonely or have been self-isolating for health reasons, we wanted to think of those people with this fragrance of GINGER & LEMONGRASS. It is a zingy fragrance jumping with energy and we hope it will bring a smile to people’s faces.
We hope you will support this cause and buy a candle, helping to raise funds for this important cause.
Sending a candle helps spread hope and gratitude.
Lighting a candle brings some more light into the darkness.
Thank you,
Nic
p.s. we are grateful to each of the individuals and companies who contributed to this by donating their time, expertise and services:
- Emma Benz who painted the beautiful illustrations on the labels
- Chris Hall who took the fabulous photos of the candles
- Nilesh Mistry for his magical web development skills – creative-elephants.co.uk
- Rajapack who kindly donated the postal boxes
- Symwick who kindly donated the wicks
- Mel Bond who set the artwork for the labels
- Phoenix Fragrances who kindly mixed our fragrances by hand in Wellingborough
