One bag, two bags, eighty bags full.

12 GoodGymers made their way 6.0km to help their local community in Southwark.

: Wednesday, 13th of December 2017
: Led by Ellie Hutch

12 Do-Gooders, ran 5k, to pack sally's crimbo stockings!!

Brrrrrrrrr it was cold one What an evening to host the very last GG Southwark of 2017.... It was Baltic to say the very least!! But despite the chill in the air, a dozen daring do-gooders showed out in festive force to see out the year, with a final flourish of Goodgym cheer!!

Our Salvation The task this week was a poetic and wonderful way to say goodbye the year, seeing as this also was the very first task of 2017 too!! Supporting the excellent community carers and charitable heroes that are - The Camberwell Corps Salvation Army!! & guess what..... The task was an indoor one!!!! Hallelujah!

Worthy Cause This fantastic community hub are more than just a Christian Church, they are are also a charitable organisation too! Offering so much to the local community; From workshops in life skills & languages, to offering affordable childcare to families in the area, they also provide those in need with food bundles and much needed resources, all year round! https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/camberwell

Inclined to do good As always the route from our base camp Old Spike, included a two whopping hill hike, which not only helped our endorphins get going, but warmed up our freezing frames too!! Not that we were in fear of the challenge, because this wondrous crew of warriors, destroyed the journey miles in under 30mins time, arriving pumped and primed to get the tasking under-way!

Present-ing bags of fun Upon our arrival we were thrilled to be met by our host Janet, who described the job that needed to be achieved....The stuffing and packing of 80 Christmas present and food bags, for community members of the site!! So without wasting anytime and spurred on by the Christmas tunes, the gang got to work quick smart, laying out the packs in a grid on the floor and making sure that they were an even mix of festive treats, with a few standard resources.

We had in our stockings every mix you can imagine; from pasta and glitter pens, to baked beans with chocolate coins. It was our job to ensure each gift was a genuine mash-up of classic pantry meets perfect present and all wrapped up in a crimbo sack!!

Snakes and Ladders Our organisation of gift lines on the floor, resembled a classic xmas game of snakes and ladders, made even more authentic by the actual ladder that Josh and Rob had to teeter on, to hide the presents in the loft!!! After which there was just enough time to grab some shutterbug moments, in santas glorious grotto, before heading back to base!!

The run home was once again filled with hills and many puddle spills, joy and laughter and a trip to the pub after!

**What a fab night, to take flight, up some hills in the cold evening chill. But complain we couldn't, when stuffing Christmas puddings, into present bags for giving, to the community, deserving of receiving.