A Little (socially distanced) Help for Something Seriously Awesome

Dear reader,

I usually spend my run-report-writing-time weighing up just how silly I can be without having a good deed docked.

Take this evening. Tea in hand and laptop ready, I was about to set down in print a tall tale about how our trip to the (food)bank resulted in us foiling a (food)bank robbery. Led by Sly Stallone. And Phil Mitchell. Neither any match for Victoria 'SHOTGUN' Sheridan and Steve 'TOUGH-TOUGH' Murtough. Course they weren't. Just another day at GG mission HQ...

But not today. No, it's no use, dear reader. No use, you won't persuade me!

For today was a little glimpse of what we GoodGymers and our fellow volunteers are all about. And I'm quite keen to share my reflections. Without Phil Mitchell.

This morning, Victoria, Steve, and I had the fortune of spending 3 hours with the lovely team at Southwark Foodbank's warehouse in Peckham.

Their work and their existence, at the best of times, means that our neighbours can access food and toiletries. As work dries up and supermarket shelves go bare, their work and existence is even more essential. The team and volunteers at the Southwark Foodbank must know they're life-savers. But you wouldn't hear them say it. Humble, kind, and fun in equal measure, we felt welcome from our arrival.

I can't say we did anything the team wouldn't do themselves. Sorting the weekend's delivery of donations (we even saw some loo roll) and then date-stamping items so they can manage the flow of their stock, maybe we helped them do it a little quicker. I hope so. Regardless, it was a pleasure to join the team, share a little laughter, and be part of their awesomeness.

Thank you, team Southwark Foodbank. Hope we helped.

Plus... it's worth saying that the GG HQ team have been wonders over the last week. It's quite something to be a tiny little part of a volunteering community led by a central team who stand tall and ready to help our neighbours who are going to need it over the coming months. And I'm pretty confident that we're all chomping at the bit to get stuck in. From a safe distance, of course.

Pretty heartwarming in these unsettling times, I'd say. Nice one!

(P.S. Sorry I didn't take any photos!)