Paint is only Skin Deep

A record-equalling 29 runners ran to help Changing Lives in York!

We welcomed two new runners to the GG Yorkie gang, big cheers for Nicola and Tim!

With Paul as our back marker, we headed off past the station and over Scarborough Bridge to the fabulous Changing Lives, where we were met by Team Leader, Cara.

One of my favourite things about any task is when we turn up and the task owner has a list. Cara had a list longer than our chain of runners so there was plenty for us to do!

• Paint the whole back fence
• Sand and paint the garden table and chairs
• Deep clean the greenhouse
• Clear the rubbish from the garden edges and overgrown bits
• Remove all the weeds from the flower beds
• Clear the steps from debris
• Sweep the entire garden

It was a tall order, but with a strong crew and 45 minutes of goodness, we were all over it. Less than 20 seconds after the briefing we had mini teams armed with paintbrushes, hoes and buckets of soapy water.

After the frantic sanding, painting the table and chairs was intricate work it looked like each person was painting their own work of art. Meanwhile, the fence painting was a little less intricate as the runners brushed it on as quickly as they could whilst balancing on rocks and benches. Cara didn't mind that some of the paint was dispersed in other areas..

They've had extra good out of us, we've painted the patio and everything - Paul, GG Yorkie

Aron was showing us his best ballet moves as he plie'd and pirouetted with great agility, avoiding any body painting until the last possible moment where someone got him a good'un.

The fence team were on fire, whilst carefully avoiding the outstanding 'squirrel assault course'. They worked their way along panel-by-panel, eventually meeting with the greenhouse scrubbing team. Cleaning that greenhouse was much harder than first anticipated, according to Cara it has never been cleaned before, ever. Maddy had to calm herself down whilst clearing out dead insects from inside whilst Louisa and Sean were scrubbing the exterior with vigour!

Carl found a herb garden once the weeds were cleared and then Team Griffin filled about 12 blue bags with all the excess greenery. It was an action-packed task but we just about got everything done: list complete.

With our good deed well and truly done, we partnered up for the fabulous 'Cones of Joy' workout. Occasionally also known as 'Cones of Doom', but the crew were exceptionally joyful tonight and we only had one minor incident where Leanne totally took Siobhan out with energetic mountain climbers. Carl and Paul battled for the best dancing on the dancing cone and I can't even decide who won. I'm calling a rematch.

These cones actually are quite joyful! - Alice, GG Yorkie

Even after doing the super hard cone circuit, some of our GG Yorkies had enough left in the tank for a little sprint finish, they can't resist being the first back at Premier Inn!

Don't forget we have a community mission on Thursday lunchtime and the GoodGym Monthly Social on the 28th! See you all next week.