Storing up good will…

You might be aware of celebrity golf days – whereby businessmen pay top dollar for the honour of playing golf with usually a professional golfer and a celebrity. 
 
I don’t fit well in to either of these categories. I am not a celebrity. And I am certainly not a scratch golfer. 
 
And so, these are days that I usually dread. 
 
The ‘celebrities’ are whoever the charity can cobble together. Ex-sports stars usually; football or rugby players and perhaps the odd actor here and there. The businessmen have their fingers crossed that they might be paired with a celebrity from tier 1. In other words, someone they have heard of.
 
Always an awkward moment then, meeting my team on the first tee. Their disappointment is palpable and who can blame them when an ex-England goalkeeper drives by in a buggy. Quickly, I like to make light of things…
 
“Okay guys. I get it. I know you’re disappointed. But it’s your own fault. Today is a fundraiser and so the charity have paired businessmen with celebrities commensurate with your status and wealth. So you guys are obviously skint. Let’s play golf.”
This usually gets a laugh. If it doesn’t, then I am in for a very long day. 
 
And with this in mind, I rocked up this week to a celebrity golf day, surprised that the day had even survived the lockdown.
On the tee, I meet my team. I introduce myself politely and feel a need to explain why I am famous.
 
These days, because my son is Tom Holland.
 
This gets a laugh and is a good start but I am yet to tee off. My fellow players introduce themselves. Two men and a lady. No pro (lockdown, I presume).  We bump elbows (lockdown) and as per… instantly I forget all their names – and I will apologise for confusing them over the next four (long) hours. 
 
But this time, one name does stick or the name of their firm does – a company well known in the UK – Big Yellow Storage. The lady golfer works for them also.  
 
Storage! 
 
Spaces full of stuff not good enough for the home but too good for the dump. How impossibly dull and you might imagine that my round ahead just got longer. 
 
Not a bit of it. We had a great day out and I enjoyed it immensely.
 
In large part because Big Yellow rank high in my corporate affections – and I write this blog in part, to commend them.  
 
Any readers familiar with The Brothers Trust will know that we support The Lunch Bowl Network – a charity working in Kibera, Kenya, feeding and educating the world’s most deprived children. As well as raising money, Lunch Bowl collects and sends out clothing, footwear and all-sorts to Kibera which all needs to be stored ahead of shipping.  
 
There is much to commend Lunch Bowl. It is run by volunteers which means that 97p in every £ raised can be spent directly on those in need and this muscular ratio is possible also because Lunch Bowl’s storage costs are provided by Big Yellow for FREE. 
 
I have been to Kibera and seen the impact of this charity. I have seen the kids resplendent in their rugby kits and boots and how delighted they are to kick a ball around and I was delighted to share this experience during our round of golf. 
 
There is some cynicism towards corporations at present – that capitalism is rotten and needs to be reset – and so it was heartening to meet Anthony Chenery and his colleague, Tracey Beagley – and to learn that Big Yellow actively support 160 UK charities and have a Foundation where they match any donations from their customers. Included in the charities they help is Bounce Back – an organisation that looks to empower vulnerable people by supporting them in to the work place. People like ex-offenders, mentally and physically handicapped people… similar to The Empowerment Plan who I mentioned last week. 
 
But our love-in was put aside for our golf match and I need to thank Anthony and Tracey again because they brought out the very best golfer in me – from poor to average. 
 
I have not played as well for ages and why I am even more persuaded to write this post.
 
So if you’re in need of some storage – Big Yellow is a good option. I don’t know how competitive they are. All my possessions still fit in to my house and so I am not up to speed on storage rates. But I do know that they’re nice people and this counts for something.  
 
Should do, anyway. 
 
 

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16 thoughts on “Storing up good will…

  1. Lyvia says:

    Hi, dom, so I try to join preorder of your new book but that’s doesn’t work I don know why, I come from Indonesia, it’s ok if I can’t join the pre order but I hope I can get your new book, love you so much❤

    • Ginevra says:

      The Holland family is a talented one. Each member has his own particular talent ( writing, photography, acting, filming, cooking…). Bless you all.

  2. Tammy says:

    Just wanted to say that I truly look forward to your blogs. You definitely have a gift in writing and comedy. Many blessings to you and your family.

  3. Sydnee Coleman says:

    Lovely blog as usual Mr. H, I love the jokes, they made me laugh and smile, so you still got it. Living in the US, I don’t think I’ll be needing Big Yellow, but if I ever move to the UK and are in need of storage; I will definitely give them a look see. As for the brothers trust, I think the work all of you and Lunch Bowl are doing is amazing. Lunch bowl makes me hungry for a fruit bowl,haha.

  4. Carla says:

    It’s so good to know that there are these people, people who are helping the world to be a better place! These charities are such amazing causes, like The Brothers Trust ❤️
    Have a good Sunday!

    • Sophie says:

      Hi, I just heard your most recent podcast and my parents can relate with having a son being 1 and 1/2 years old and then twins coming along, it was super tiring for them. A funny thing is that me and my sister are identical twins and therefore in photos /videos of us as babies we actually have no idea which one is which and ask our parents always…whom half the time don’t know the answer . I love your content, it’s nice to hear what other people have been up to during lockdown x

  5. Kat Finn says:

    I’m a primary school teacher and we have been collecting school shoes ready to donate to The Lunchbowl Network since Christmas! I was hoping to bring the first load down to Big Yellow Storage during the Easter break but you know the rest … hopefully I’ll get down in the summer holidays!

  6. Starla says:

    I absolutely loved today’s blog!! Whenever you post one, it always makes me smile. I hope that you and your family are well and having a fantastic day.
    Here’s to a great week
    All the best, Starla x

  7. Starla says:

    I loved today’s blog!! Whenever you post one, it always makes me smile. I hope that you and your family are well and having a fantastic day.
    Here’s to a great week
    All the best, Starla x

  8. Starla says:

    I loved today’s blog!! Whenever you post one, it always makes me smile. I hope that you and your family doing great and having a fantastic day.
    Here’s to a wonderful week!
    All the best, Starla x

  9. Beth says:

    Being on the other side of the world, I’m not actually familiar with Big Yellow- but it is a wonderful thing that they do
    Well done at golf BTW

  10. Márcia Malaquias says:

    I think … I have to learn to play golf 🙂
    Here in Brazil it is not popular but it is considered a game of the upper class (for rich and famous) and so not being within my reach.

    ❤️

  11. Mia says:

    i absolutely loved this blog, i really love how you’re putting yourself out there to help others. every time i read these blogs i smile because you always have a new story to tell and they’re always different.
    stay safe and all the best for you and your family.
    mia

  12. Ronnyy_tn says:

    Hi Mr. Holland Can I ask some help? Me and my friend are really into Tom Holland I want to make my friend happy cause she will celebrate her birthday this july 7, i hope you can help me to ask some video greetings from Tom for my friend, her name is “Yssa Denosta” I hope you’ll notice my dm. Have a great day always, take care love lots

  13. Faaiz says:

    Hi Dom, is so nice to hear hay children now play sports like football and rugby. It really warms my heart that at least they are able to enjoy such a sport, especially these who are vulnerable and deprived. Big Yellow sounds absolutely perfect in how they could help kids in Kiberia. I am very happy that I read your blogs when I first saw them and also having the privilege to comment on your blogs because they mean absolute a lot me when I try to express my thoughts to good listeners. Thank you for always stepping when the world needs it. Massive thumbs up to Big Yellow!

  14. Andrew Watson says:

    A very entertaining read and far too complimentary about my colleagues Tracey and Chenners ! Thank you for the kind words about Big Yellow, a lot of stuff that the company do goes unnoticed so very good of you to shout about it, much appreciated indeed.

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