Running for a Reason
You’d normally find us in boots rather than running trainers, but last weekend, the Hollands Team swapped the yard for Tatton Park as we took part in our staff charity 10K- all in support of men’s mental health charity, Andy’s Man Club.
Now, we won’t pretend everyone suddenly discovered a love of long-distance running overnight. There were plenty of early mornings, aching legs and more than a few jokes about whether we (or who) would actually make it round. But the reason behind it made every extra mile worthwhile (and the promise of a tasty venison burger at the end may have helped too… but more on that later!)
The run itself was a brilliant event, and thanks to the support of friends, family and customers, we managed to raise over £1,600 for Andy’s Man Club.
And of course, being Hollands, the day didn’t end at the finish line…
Trainers On, Tatton Bound
Bright and early, the morning of the run saw the Hollands crew head over to Tatton Park, armed with branded tees and ready to take on the 10K, while a few others joined as our very enthusiastic support squad (complete with some very impressive home-made placards).
Before 8:30 am, Tatton was filled with runners, families and supporters, and once the starting pistol went off, it quickly became clear that this wasn’t just about pace or finish times, but about pushing ourselves and doing something together for a cause that matters.
Of course, there were a few memorable moments along the way, including the discovery that someone had left their headphones behind (rookie error). Still, the small but very real motivation of knowing the support squad (and a bag of Haribo) were waiting at the finish line kept everyone going strong.
But behind the laughs and jokes, there was a serious reason for running. We chose to support Andy’s Man Club, a charity dedicated to men’s mental health and suicide prevention in the UK, which, through more than 140 free peer-support groups across the country, provides safe spaces for men to talk openly, built around a simple but powerful message: #It'sOkayToTalk.
One of our warehouse members Larry smashing it for Andy's Man Club!
It’s a message that resonates strongly with us here at Hollands. In today’s world, in rural settings and often male-dominated communities, we know that conversations around mental health can still be difficult, and we want to bring attention to organisations like Andy’s Man Club, which are helping to change that stigma.
The BBQ (But Not Just Any BBQ)
Once the finish line was crossed, the Haribos safely secured, and a quick check that everyone was still in one piece, attention soon turned to the part everyone had secretly been looking forward to- the BBQ.
After all, a 10K tends to sharpen the appetite somewhat… and what better way to round off the day than back at Hollands HQ with the smell of freshly cooked food drifting across the yard?
Back at the farm, the BBQ was fired up, but this time I wasn’t the one donning my favourite cheffing apron behind the grill. Instead, the team got a well- earned rest as the tongues were handed over to Lee from Dennisons Venison, who brought along something a little different from your average burger van...
Builder by trade, keen countryman at heart, Lee is the owner of Dennisons Venison, a local, family-run business built around a genuine field-to-fork philosophy. With over ten years of experience as a qualified Deer Manager and a passion for the countryside, from field through to fork, and of course the all-important cooking, Lee is involved in every step of the process. As well as his love for good food, his focus remains on respecting the animal, educating the people, managing populations properly and making sure nothing goes to waste.
For the BBQ, that meant an impressive spread of ethically sourced venison burgers and Lee’s signature ‘Dennison dogs’ were on the menu, cooked fresh and served up to a group of very grateful (and very hungry) runners. Around the yard, you could hear the mix of post-run chat, with laughs from the course, comparisons of aching legs, and more than a few people going back for seconds.
Rustling up the venison burgers and famous 'Dennison dogs'.
What Lee is doing with Dennisons Venison is something we really admire here at Hollands. Wild venison is one of the most natural and sustainable meats available. The deer live wild and freely in the countryside, populations are carefully managed, and the result is lean, high-protein meat that’s both healthy and incredibly versatile in the kitchen- not to mention how good it tastes.
It was as much about the story behind the food as it was the flavour itself, and judging by how quickly those burgers disappeared, it’s fair to say the Hollands team are firmly converted!
The Bit That Really Matters
Yes, we spend a lot of our time talking about jackets, boots, and clothing built for the British countryside, but as we always like to say, behind it all sits something much bigger- the people, communities and shared values that make country life what it is.
The run was about more than just finish times, and the food was about more than just a BBQ. The whole day was about doing things that matter; supporting a cause that’s doing important work for men’s mental health, championing local businesses that care deeply about the countryside and the food it produces, and the Hollands team coming together- runners, cheerleaders and BBQ tasters alike.
In a world that often feels a bit rushed and disconnected, days like this are a reminder that the countryside still does things the proper way: with people at the centre, muddy boots (or trainers) welcome, and everyone pushing to do something that makes a difference.
It’s exactly the sort of day that sums up what matters to us here at Hollands. We’ve always been about more than just clothing, and we’re glad we can share a small part of it with you.
And if you’d like to keep up with more behind-the-scenes stories from life at Hollands, countryside events, and the latest from country clothing, you can sign up to the Hollands newsletter or explore more of our latest blogs on our country files.
Until next time- from all of us here at Hollands.
