Our Japanese friends and customers love all things herdy and we’ve been exporting to them now for about 5 years, our main outlet is Ito-Ya in Tokyo. They sell a selection of our mugs, keyrings, money boxes and a product made especially for them – New Year greeting cards. The Chinese & Japanese New Year is, as we know a big time for celebration in the East. 2015 is the Year of the Sheep – or as we like to think of it – the year of herdy! And as usual, herdy wants to make people smile whilst making a small difference where we can.

From day one at herdy, we realised that building sustainable rural communities meant working together.  It’s a simple idea:  we fund and sponsor projects, spending time working with rural community initiatives and upland fell farmers who care for the region’s Herdwick sheep. Whilst in the past we've worked mainly in the UK, we saw an opportunity to support a community initiative in Japan following the devistating tsunami in 2011.

Spencer Hannah, co-founder said: “This year, we designed some exclusive Japanese New Year cards especially for our retailer out in Japan.  Rather than profit from this, we decided to donate all profits to a community chest fund supporting Tsunami disaster recovery projects in Japan. It’s a modest gift but one we are keen to offer to our friends in Japan. We’ve heard that it's raised £985.65, which we’re really chuffed about.” 

Machiko Kuriowa of Ito-Ya added: “We love working with herdy, and were delighted when they offered to donate their profits to the Tsunami relief fund. Thank you herdy!" 

Herdy continues to celebrate the Year of the Sheep – if you get chance during February half-term, call in to one of the herdy shops – Grasmere, Keswick & Hawes, and pick up a 'Year of the Sheep' herdy badge.