Candle maker creates hand sanitiser for the city
A BRISTOL business owner has made hundreds of bottles of hand sanitiser and given them to hospitals, nurseries and care homes across the city for free.
Yasmin Keetley, 28, who runs luxury candle-making business Made by Yasmin at Avondale Business Centre, said she wanted to do something to help the NHS and key workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
She and partner Martin Ponfield have made 500 bottles for staff at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, Southmead
Hospital, Baker Street Nursery, Care South West, Catherine House Care Home, and DPD parcel delivery and Royal Mail workers.
Yasmin, who bought the bottles, labels and raw ingredients from UK suppliers, said she also gave the hand sanitiser to friends and family.
“The feedback I have had from people who have received the hand sanitiser has been amazing,” she said. “I know it’s only small gesture but I just wanted to help.”
Yasmin said she contacted people through email, Facebook and Instagram explaining she was making and giving away hand sanitiser, but also had people working at the BRI and Southmead reach out to her.
Staff at Baker Street Nursery and Pre-school in Hanham, said: “An absolutely huge thank you to [Yasmin] who has kindly donated bottles of hand sanitiser to us. These are definitely needed and wholeheartedly appreciated.”
Yasmin said she was forced to change how the business operated after the coronavirus virus outbreak, including rotating shifts so only one person works at a time, wearing PPE and social distancing.
“This has meant me working days, my partner working evenings and our staff member working the days we have off,” she said.
“[Making the hand sanisters] is a massive achievement for me and seeing how appreciative they were and grateful really touched my heart.”
The entrepreneur started her company in 2017 with less than £2,000 and by 2018 had grown turnover to £195,337.