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For many non-profit organisations, keeping buildings safe, welcoming and affordable to run is an ongoing challenge. Older properties, rising energy costs and failing fluorescent lighting can quietly drain already stretched budgets — money that would always be better spent on care, support and community services.
Donate-A-Light exists to tackle that problem head-on.
By connecting the lighting industry with the charity sector, Donate-A-Light provides free LED lamps and luminaires* to organisations such as care homes and hospices. The result is lower energy bills, safer environments and meaningful carbon savings — without diverting funds away from frontline services.
Lower energy costs
Upgrading to LED lighting significantly reduces electricity consumption, helping charities manage running costs more effectively during a time of sustained financial pressure.
Reduced carbon footprint
LED lighting delivers measurable COâ‚‚ reductions. Donate-A-Light also prioritises reuse where possible, achieving additional embodied carbon savings and supporting long-term sustainability goals.
Improved safety and comfort
Reliable lighting removes dark spots caused by failed fittings, improving visibility in key areas and reducing risk for residents, visitors and staff.
Reduced maintenance
With lifespans ranging from 25,000 to over 100,000 hours (around 5 to 20 years), LED lighting dramatically reduces the need for replacements, call-outs and running repairs.
Professional environmental and energy reporting
Recipient organisations receive a detailed report covering every light and every area upgraded, clearly outlining the expected energy and CO₂ savings — invaluable for trustees, funders and future planning.
Donate-A-Light is led by two highly experienced figures from the lighting industry who bring decades of practical knowledge and leadership to the charity.
Dave Fear – Founder & CEO
Dave has over 34 years’ experience in the lighting industry. His career began as an Electrical Apprentice at Moorlite Electrical and progressed through senior technical and leadership roles at companies including Siteco, Selux UK, Thorn, Osram, GE and Current. He has also successfully run his own lighting services business. Dave combines deep technical knowledge with strong project, operations and general management expertise and is BCOP’s main contact for Donate-A-Light projects.
Phil Myles – Founder & Director
Phil has enjoyed a 40-year career working with some of the UK’s largest lighting manufacturers. Starting in 1980 as a Design Engineer at Moorlite Electrical (now Whitecroft Lighting), he retired in 2022 as Managing Director of Solite Europe, part of FW Thorpe PLC. Phil specialises in integrating environmental and Health & Safety ISO management standards and brings wide-ranging strategic insight to Donate-A-Light’s work.
BCOP has been fortunate to benefit from two Donate-A-Light projects, both delivering practical improvements for residents and staff.
At Robert Harvey House nursing home, new LED wall lights have improved reliability, safety and energy efficiency throughout the home.
At Emma Ball in Handsworth, outdoor floodlighting was installed to improve visibility and safety for residents. These were exterior fittings, generously donated by Bill Judd at Principle Lighting following an online appeal — a great example of the wider industry coming together to support charities.
Charities exist to support people, not to wrestle with ageing infrastructure. Donate-A-Light helps remove one practical burden that many organisations quietly carry for years, allowing them to focus on what they do best.
Good lighting may not always be noticed — but its absence certainly is. Thanks to Donate-A-Light, organisations like us can provide safer, brighter and more sustainable environments, while protecting the services older people rely on every day.
Sometimes the most valuable support doesn’t shout. It simply switches on — and keeps going.
Read more about the Donate-A-Light charity here
