It is one of my favourite events of the year - GoodGym were again asked to help out at the Boulters to Bray swim. Alain, Kelley and Sheila set their alarm clocks for a very early start, and arrived at Ray Mill Island as the swimmers were starting to gather. Alain took charge of flip flop drop-off, making sure they were tied together and put in the right bags so that they could be re-united with their owners when they exited the water. Kelley and Sheila helped out with car key drop-off and recording each swimmer's number as they entered the water. And then they were off, a colourful array of swim hats and floats making their way down the river en masse. Quite a sight to see. Our next task was to marshal at Boulters Lock, ensuring that swimmers doing the longer Historic swim exited the water at the right point and directing them round to the Island so they could continue their swim. Just follow the wet footprints! Then it was back to the Rowing club to help give out Tshirts and return car keys to their owners (and have a well-earned bacon butty). All done and dusted by 8.30, just as the rest of Maidenhead was waking up..... Such an uplifting event, and it was great to see GoodGymers participating as well as volunteering

Another busy morning at the Baby Bank. Alain and Vikie helped out downstairs, packing away donations of toiletries etc, and then moving the buggies to make room for the pyjama appeal donations which are coming in thick and fast Meanwhile Sheila was upstairs doing a second check on the clothes donations, and putting some emergency referrals together. Our help was much appreciated

10 Goodgymers made their way to Nature's Haven where we met with Claire, our taskowner, who was already setting up the firepit and stringing up the lights. It promised to be a good night! In preparation for an important visitor in a few days days time, we had lots of jobs to do. In typical Goodgym fashion, everyone set to work on our various tasks. One group weeded an area and transplanted some hellebores, while others tidied the spare pots. Meanwhile others dug trenches in a bed and planted a row of box plants after first sawing off half their roots to ensure they fitted in the holes. Others weeded the beds and paths, and Ben proved to be very handy with the broom, leaving everything neat and tidy. We were rewarded with hot chocolate and marshmallows to toast over the firepit. Fantastic. Great work, Goodgym

At the Baby Bank, it was collection day today for the bags of donated clothes which had been rejected as being unsuitable. So we all got a great work out, carrying dozens of bags out to the collection van, which was filled to the gunnels by the end. This was Alain's first visit to their new location, and it was straight in at the deep end. With this being the last day of opening before the half term break, everything was extremely busy with people dropping off items in response to appeals for certain items as well as referrals being collected. Including a family sent by their midwife to pick up clothes and equipment for a newborn before being induced the next day! Talk about just in time! It all brought home how vital a service the Baby Bank provides Kudos to Alain for cycling the (very!) long way round to the Baby Bank and for getting stuck into clothes sorting