We’re delighted to release our brand-new video, featuring six small businesses from across Leicestershire & Rutland who were successful in receiving interest-free business loans from the Charity.
Narrated by Lee Wheeler-Tomes of Orange Fox Studios, who is an education and business loan borrower from STWLC himself, the video illustrates how we are a local charity for local entrepreneurs, run by people from the county. The video shows the entrepreneurs who are on our doorstep, with the aim of inspiring others to realise they have a way to make their dreams come true.
The featured entrepreneurs and businesses are:
– Sara Aspinal – STAK Knee Stretcher in Bagworth
– Oliver Forty – Jollie Campers in Husbands Bosworth
– Dhilon Devji – Dhil’s Vegan Street Food in Wigston
– Steven McKerrow – Mouseskins in Loughborough
– Caroline Stafford – The Kitsch Hen in Oakham
– Liga Orlovska – Honeycraft in Leicester
Lucy Womack, STWLC Chair, said: “This is something we’ve been working on for some time, so we’re absolutely delighted to see the video come together and be shared far and wide.
“We’re always telling people about what we offer, but this video was all about showing the real-life difference that our interest-free loans make for businesses in our region, straight from the mouths of the entrepreneurs themselves.
“Off the back of a fantastic 2023, where we approved a massive £600,000 in interest-free loans, we’re looking forward to supporting more entrepreneurs like Sara, Oliver, Dhilon, Steven, Caroline and Liga in 2024.”
Speaking within the video, Liga Orlovska of Honeycraft, who runs Meet the Bees experiences at Bradgate Park, said: “Without The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, most likely there wouldn’t be Meet the Bees at Bradgate Park. When I looked into other business loans, as a single parent with two children, I was either ineligible to apply or it was too high risk. So, the (STWLC) loan was crucial in me opening the business.”
Established in 1542, STWLC hosts quarterly application windows each year in which people aged over 18 and under 45 can apply for unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid local businesses, or £10,000 to support students wishing to return to postgraduate education. The Charity’s loans are interest-free for nine years, and become repayable by equal instalments after three years.
Application packs are available to download upon completion of a contact form on our website.