Light a Candle to End Polio Now

“Light A Candle. Help End Polio Now” 

When Diane and Simon Sims from the Rotary Club of Willenhall in the West Midlands came up with the idea of creating a Rotary candle to fundraise for polio, little did they know they were revealing a story about resilience, friendship, family, believing in each other and never giving up when life throws its biggest challenges your way.

They approached a local firm Dark Foundry No.8 and the story unfolded. Founded by partners Paul Briggs, an ex-soldier turned chandler, and Victoria Smith, an award-winning wellbeing practitioner.

They shared a dream of building their own business together. Paul was working away from home for long periods as a tower crane operator, while Victoria was working tirelessly as a wellbeing practitioner, helping people improve their health and wellbeing.

Initially their kitchen became their workshop. Evenings were spent experimenting with fragrance blends, pouring prototype candles and dreaming about what one day might become our own luxury home fragrance brand.

Then life changed overnight.

Victoria suffered a stroke.

Everything stopped.

Suddenly, building a business became the least important thing in their lives.

‘Watching Victoria fight back from her stroke has been one of the most inspiring things I have ever witnessed’ said Paul ‘and although she still has good days and more challenging days, her determination has been incredible. She truly is a warrior. Her recovery made both of us realise life is far too short’ and Dark Foundry No.8 was created’

They immersed themselves in learning their craft, attending candle-making courses, studying business, refining their fragrance blends and quietly building excitement around what they hoped would become something special.

They quickly out grew their kitchen and took premises above a friend’s hair salon but as orders were flooding in, they realised they needed bigger premises and moved to their current location in a factory unit in Willenhall just round the corner from where they lived. Here every candle, reed diffuser, room spray and wax melt is handcrafted there by Paul and Victoria. On the premises they now have a retail store, the candle making factory and they now run candle making workshops to help with people’s wellbeing and have a sense of achievement.

‘Our business celebrates two things that mean the world to us’ said Paul

The first is our heritage. So many of our fragrances tell the stories of the industrial revolution in the West Midlands—celebrating the people, places and industries that helped build one of the greatest manufacturing regions in the world.

The second is wellbeing. Victoria’s background as a wellbeing practitioner has inspired an entire collection dedicated to mindfulness, positivity and emotional wellbeing—something that has become even more meaningful following her own recovery.

Their story and success attracted British Vogue who invited Dark Foundry No.8 to feature in their three-month summer campaign.

For us, being featured in one of the world’s most recognisable magazines wasn’t simply about publicity. It was recognition of years of our hard work, sacrifice and determination which has created something worthy of standing alongside some of the biggest luxury brands in the world.

Since then, Dark Foundry No.8 has continued to grow, securing new corporate partnerships, expanding our retail presence and sharing our products with customers across the UK.

‘Yet no matter how much we grow, one thing will never change’ said Paul ‘ Community will always remain at the heart of everything we do but was something was missing’ ‘We were looking to give something back’ ‘We already knew about the great work Willenhall Rotary Club does but little did we know the impact Rotary has in the World especially their tireless work in eradicating Polio, that is why being invited to support Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign means so much to us.

When Diane Sims approached us with the idea of creating a bespoke candle for the campaign, we were incredibly honoured. Diane already knew Dark Foundry No.8, believed in the quality of our products and recognised the impact a luxury candle could have in helping raise funds for such an important project.

Diane & Simon then contacted Ashley Gray one of the Directors and Trustees of the Rotary Foundation in the UK for his advice on how the Rotary candle could be used as a fund-raising vehicle for Rotary’s Polio Eradication Program. ‘A special thank you must also go to Ashley’ whose encouragement, enthusiasm and support have been invaluable throughout this journey. From our very first conversations, Ashley believed in the campaign and helped transform an idea into something we hope will make a genuine difference,’ said Victoria

Together we have created the “Light A Candle. Help End Polio Now” campaign—a limited-edition luxury candle fragranced with elegant notes of Violet & Amber.

Presented in an exclusive co-branded gift box, every candle represents hope, resilience and the incredible difference that can be made when communities come together with a shared purpose.

Most importantly, £5 from every candle sold will be donated in support of Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign, helping Rotary move one step closer to a world free from polio.

Every product created at Dark Foundry No.8 is handcrafted uses premium UK-sourced materials and fragrance oils. Their products are vegan friendly, cruelty free and pet friendly because quality has always been at the heart of everything they do.

‘From our kitchen table to British Vogue… and now proudly working alongside Rotary, our journey has taught us one simple lesson:

No matter how dark life may become, there is always light to be found.

And that is exactly why our motto has always been…

“Where There Is Dark, We Bring You Light.”

On World Polio Day would it be great if everyone could put a lighted Rotary candle in their front window.

To make your order click on the QR code or visit Dark Foundry No8’ at www.darkfoundry8.co.uk

For more information contact Ashley Gray at RFUK.