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PRESS RELEASE
Herdy Wins High Sheriff of Cumbria's Small & Medium Enterprise Award
Lake District brand Herdy has won the High Sheriff of Cumbria’s Small & Medium Enterprise Innovation Award, in recognition of Outstanding Business Innovation during the Covid-19 Crisis.
Herdy was recognised for the many ways in which they demonstrated outstanding performance in innovatively adapting their business during the pandemic, whilst also supporting others in the community. The company received a Special Award Certificate and £250, which Herdy will be donating to the Herdy Fund, managed by Cumbria Community Foundation.
A virtual ceremony was hosted on Zoom by departing High Sheriff of Cumbria, Julie Barton, with technical support provided by Andrew Armitage of A-Digital.
Alongside Herdy were two other business award winners: Chinty’s of Keswick won the Micro Business Award, and Story Construction won the Community-Spirited Business Award.
In addition, 14 charities were recognised for their outstanding achievements and innovations during the pandemic. 11 of the charities received a Special Award certificate and a grant of £500, whilst the final three charities received an additional Special Award Shield and a grant of £1,000.
In particular, Herdy was praised for their “Herdy Heroes” campaign and subsequent fundraiser tea towel, which was created to celebrate all the local heroes and key workers who kept people safe during the UK lockdown from the COVID-19 pandemic. The tea towel design features not just NHS workers and nurses, but also delivery drivers, teachers, local celebrities, volunteer rescue workers and more.
Diane Hannah, Co-Founder & Co-Director of Herdy, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to win this award. When lockdown was announced last March, our income dropped 80% overnight. With our shops forced to close we immediately refocused our business online to our ecommerce website. We’re a brand that makes people smile so we put a huge amount of resource into bringing a bit of light relief to every day with fun posts across our social media platforms, free downloads on our website such as colouring competitions, ‘thank ewe’ posters for key workers, and free COVID 19 signage.”
One social media post alone was seen by over 900,000 people; a meme involving a pretty sheep and a dishevelled sheep, imploring readers to cherish their hairdressers once quarantine was over.
“Our customers have shown amazing support throughout the last year, as have our team. There have been some incredibly positive outcomes from such a negative situation and to be recognised with this award is very special to everyone at Herdy.”
