David Dodge, from Steart, has created the ‘Veterans’ Candle’ to spark conversations about mental health. The candles are produced by David’s veteran-owned company, Made By Bees, and were officially launched on Friday, October 4.

Speaking about the inspiration for his candles, David said: “When I left Afghanistan in 2014, I had on my mind the idea of helping people with PTSD and other mental health challenges. Beekeeping has been a real passion of mine since we moved to Somerset in 2021.

“I started experimenting with beeswax and eventually came up with the idea of making a Veterans’ candle. I used a clay model and made a silicon mould to form the beeswax candles.”

David settled on the idea of creating a candle that depicts a military helmet atop a pair of combat boots and represents a veteran’s service to country. £3 from the sale of every candle will be donated to Combat Stress, a veterans’ mental health support charity.

One of his first customers was a veteran who had been helped by Combat Stress and bought the candle for his friend who had saved his life. 

David first joined the Army in 1990 and became a Close Protection specialist providing protection in high-risk areas and worked in over 50 countries on six continents. Reflecting on his time in the Armed Forces, he commented: “Over the years I have lost too many friends and colleagues to suicide and have always had that feeling of, “if only I had known or said something.

“Finally, I feel like I can contribute in a positive way. My small veteran owned company has teamed up with Combat Stress, the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans. I’m willing to work with military charities, and I’ve been in touch with a few already.

“It is my hope that the ornamental pure beeswax candle will take pride of place in a home or office and become a discussion point, helping to start the conversation about mental health.”