All in the legs and trunk when popping your cherry

14 do gooders hit the streets to run 10k and take on the Cherry Tree House task

Big ups to all for this week – plenty of tail wind guys!!

This week has been a pretty good week for GGH as we managed to secure time credit’s for those who attend GGH sessions and managed to pick these up a short while before we were due to meet. I’d like to say that this was a highlight but it was overshadowed by the effort put in by all who attended and tried their very best to complete or get a good time. We’ll come back to this but big shouts out to Dawn who put in a huge effort toward achieving her goal set for May – you’re on track to smash your goal Dawn – good stuff. Hope the knee is feeling ok today. I’d also like to shout out Rachel and Mohammad who came along to get stuck in with us for the first time this week. Was lovely having you join us. I also want to thank Nargees for bringing her Mohammed along and congratulate her on digging deep to get her 10k. Big ups to all for this week – plenty of tail wind guys!!

tell everyone about the time credits that were now available to them

As we grouped up at HQ it was great to see everyone chatting to each other and getting along well. I had to interrupt this flurry of dialogue to tell everyone about the time credits that were now available to them, where the time credits could be exchanged for leisure and services. I also wanted to point out that everyone would have the opportunity to donate their time credits to a charity/individual, or that we could even band together with other GoodGym Haringey attendees to collectively save then donate our accumulated TCs to a chosen cause via the GGH Time Bank Savings Account.

super cool way to donate their time (credits) to a charity

I also wanted to point out that this should not be considered as payment for people's volunteering which would kinda defeat the object. People should however look on receiving/exchanging these as either a great way to help sustain the fantastic time credits scheme or a super cool way to donate their time (credits) to a charity/organisation. Just imagine volunteering for one organisation and receiving time credits that can then be passed on to another non-profit, charity or community organisation. Double whammy genius-ery. Ok that's not actually a word but I'm sure you gets me (GG) fam.

childhood fears of ever having to do a bleep test again

After a quick briefing some introductions and a warm up we were off into the night in search of this weeks light. We were headed for Cherry Tree House sheltered accommodation where we’d be helping to turn some soil and break down a bunch of unwanted chairs for the lovely folk who live there. En route we split into three groups to ensure all had a good workout so as the first group waited for us to all re group I though a mini bleep test would go down well and it did. Shouts out to Clare Askew for hanging on in there and overcoming those childhood fears of ever having to do a bleep test again once out of school. Lovely to have you back with us as it is to have Aidan re-join us too! Nearly at the task we re-grouped and carried on.

Our goal (in this group) was to smash up some chairs – yessssss!

Now I had to borrow tools for this task, as they are a little short on these things so of course I worked some magic and sorted that out before hand. With a helpful hand from Chris we grabbed the tools out of the car (also borrowed), distributed them then split into two teams. One team dealing with the turning of soil the other took up the breaking of the mighty sturdy looking chairs. Some were worried about dealing with the mighty chairs but of course it’s my job to ensure people see through any doubts they may have and push forward to achieve a goal. Our goal (in this group) was to smash up some chairs – yessssss! We made this look pretty easy after working out that it’s all in the legs (pun intended).

we had completed the two tasks – NICE!!

While all this was going on, those in the garden at Cherry Tree House thrashed out their task and turned the soil with great effect and in breakneck time. Big ups there as our contact at CTH was super chuffed with all that was done and I just know Jackie the schemes manager will be super duper chuffed too. It was a good job everyone gave it their all on this task as due to the distance we had already run out of time but this was all good as we had completed the two tasks – NICE!! After a quick clear up we said our goodbyes and headed to the front where I had to break the news to all that I wouldn’t be able to join them on their run back in as I had to take the tools I had borrowed along with a box of time credit brochures to distribute to GGH attendees. It felt like a bit of a cop out but if I hadn’t borrowed the tools the task would not have gone ahead - hey ho. With that said we dried our eyes and gave each other a high five to get over that dreadful news. People also rejoiced in the fact that Dashing Dave (who’s now trained up to cover) would be leading the group back to HQ. Dave even got a cheer when I mentioned this.

we all set off for some din dins and a good rest

That said and done, everyone set off and I raced (within the speed limit) back to base to ensure I was there to meet everyone on their return and surely I did so with time to spare so ran back out from HQ and met them on Downhills Park Road then took the lead from there. Once back at HQ there was one last challenge to ensure we hit the 10k mark with the option to stop at HQ if need be. As people returned I cheered n clapped them and did my best to support them to get the best out of themselves and they sure did. Heading past HQ and down toward the Bernie Grant Centre then back they went before finishing up outside HQ. Well done on the distance guys every single one of you smashed it. During our warm down we had a brief discussion on this years leap month/day on 29th and I asked if people thought the 29th should be a public holiday? to which most agreed it should. Warm down done, brochures dished out we all set off for some din dins and a good rest.

Until next week folks – stay good, keep fit and look out for the light!