A dozen GoodGymmers from a range of groups (incl Tower Hamlets, Richmond and Lambeth) met Andrea for GROAD to help distribute duvets, bags, clothes, shoes and sandwiches to rough sleepers. The usual spot just off the Strand was busy as ever with expectant and grateful recipients. With the large number of volunteers, we finished early, grateful to return to our own homes for the night.

A breezy but bright Monday evening saw 12 GoodGymers head to Columbia Road to help the Columbia TRA with some weeding and mulch distribution.

Following a short workout in Ravenscroft Park (where we welcomed Connie to her first GoodGym Tower Hamlets task) we made our way around the corner to the gardens of Sivill House where Ed, Ed, Liz and Dougal were well preparing the equipment for this evening’s activity.

After a short briefing, we were promptly dispatched into three teams (one distributing mulch; one weeding in the garden by the street, and another weeding in the orchard area).

Shuttling barrows of mulch around the gardens, plucking pesky grass and unwanted dock leaves, the time sped by.

At shortly before 8, we decided to call it a night, emptying the last weed onto the compost pile and the last wheelbarrow of mulch onto the young trees.

A good night’s work, and great to be reunited with the fun Columbia TRA team.

Next week, our Monday night activity’s moved to Wednesday, due to the Bank Holiday, when we’ll be joining Margaret and Ash for another fun evening in-and-around the Hollybush Estate.

Until then.

We were rolling out the donated clothes, toys and books today so the hotel residents could get some Summer Wardrobes. We had to reassure people that the UK truly does get hotter than this current blip, over the Summer months.

Faves today were a purple Grease megamix style bomberjacket for a teenage resident. The teddies went down like hot cakes with the kids. Emma did a lot of babysitting and entertaining the kids, which she is a natural at!

Four of us volunteers set up and set down together and it was quite quiet so we had plenty of time for chats and searching the web for useful resources. One guy from Iran that I spoke to wanted to do a master’s in psychology, so he’s going to look into free courses to get started.

Will be great to come again as lots of donations get taken and are exactly what people need.