EBONY Calaby is a 10-year-old Urquhart Park Primary School pupil with a passion for soy wax candles and social causes.
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So when she was asked to help out a friend’s friend, she didn’t hesitate.
Ebony made and donated a choc mint slice teacup candle to Sebastopol mother-of-one Casey Thompson’s Paint ’Em Pink day on May 8, which aims to raise awareness of acquired brain injuries by encouraging people to paint their nails pink.
Ebony’s mum Leanne said they were both humbled to meet Ms Thompson, who suffered a stroke in 2008 aged just 22.
Ms Thompson’s husband Matt, who has a heart condition, has since also had a stroke and been diagnosed with bowel cancer.
“She made us cry,” Mrs Calaby said.
“She has all this going on and she can still smile and be happy.
“We walked away in tears and feeling very inspired by Casey but she said she was inspired by Ebony.”
Ebony has been making and selling soy wax candles since she was eight, including cute cupcake and soda designs with innovative scents like monkey farts (tropical fruit).
“Mum always burns candles around the house and I thought it was pretty cool and I liked the scents,” Ebony said.
“I asked mum if I could start making them. She wasn’t sure but eventually she let me.”
Ebony started selling candles at Ballarat markets but eventually turned to Facebook, which proved highly successful.
However, there are strict rules about the profits made.
“I have to put my money in the bank,” she said.
Occasionally Ebony is allowed to buy a treat, which, when she bought a handbag from a Dandenong gift shop, resulted in them also ordering a selection of her work.
Ms Thompson said, in supporting Paint ’Em Pink, Ebony had demonstrated a maturity and grace beyond her tender years.
“Her social conscience is already so much stronger than that of some adults I know,” she said.
• For more information on Paint ’Em Pink, go to https://www.facebook.com/Paintempinkforabi or for Ebony’s candles go to Facebook page Ebony’s Soy Wax Candles.