A Marathon Mission with Treats Every Stop!

Cathy topped her collections target within the first hour of this near four-hour GoodGym Community Mission, such was the marvellous response it received.

Richmond borough residents were asked if they could bring vital toiletries so we could pass them on to the charity SPEAR, who'll distribute them on November 24th at the NHS-designated Health & Wellbeing Day for Homeless People and Asylum Seekers in Twickenham.

GoodGymmers Stella, Sam, JP, Monika and Jenny joined Cathy at the ETNA Centre in St Margarets to greet arrivals, process their kind donations and hand out slices of cake.

Among them was a young mother with her toddler who had recently moved to the neighbourhood and wanted to contribute; a young man who hauled in two huge bags overflowing with a wonderful array of toiletries and sheepishly said: “I don’t take any credit, this is from my mum”; Diran who runs an over 50s table tennis classes at ETNA on Thursdays; plus new GoodGym members Michelle who dropped off a bag with her husband and Stella who brought a haul of items which her church in Twickenham had gathered.

While two retired couples happily stayed on for a sweet treat (banana and coconut raspberry cakes and double choc chip cookies) and coffee, Jenny ran full speed ahead with a great idea of separating out the items into categories: shampoo, soaps, toothbrushes and paste, deodorants, sanitary products, combs and brushes, wipes, and several luxury brands as well as mini samples which will make each kit assembled by homeless charity SPEAR that extra special. The goal was to collect enough toiletries for 24 mini wellbeing kits but such was the generosity we ended up with around 100 to be distributed to those in need next Wednesday.

This was the first time we held a collection for this cause so keep an eye peeled for a repeat in the future.