Behind every act of generosity is a story.

Sara Leathley, the maker behind Cuppa Candles, has a long-standing connection to hospice care, both as a nurse and through her family. Today, she gives back in a deeply personal way, donating handcrafted candles for the care bundles given to loved ones after a loss.

Sara shares her story in her own words:

In 1978, I started my nursing career in England, which culminated in my working as a district nurse. This involved nursing many palliative clients in their own homes. It also meant working in collaboration with our local hospice and the services and guidance that they offered.

At the same time, in my hometown, my mum was volunteering with the local hospice there. She worked in a charity shop whose profits were solely for the hospice. She realized how lucky we were to have a hospice in our city, as I do here in Stratford.

In 2019, my husband and I were thinking about downsizing, and I wondered what I was going to do with all the cups and saucers I had collected over the years. It was then that I had the idea to make candles and sell them to raise money for the hospice. I had a few outlets downtown and sold them at craft fairs. Raising over $4500 to date.

At the end of 2023, I was asked if I would like to provide the candles for the “care packages” that were given out. I felt very honoured by the proposal and, with the help of generous donations of cups and saucers and wax, have been able to do this.

I feel very blessed that we have this facility in Stratford with staff there who provide exceptional care, professionalism, and dedication.