We were very excited to be back at Surrey Docks Farm for the second time this year.

We were split into three groups. One group cleared out the goats' area. Another watered vegetable patches. The third transported manure to the relatively new river garden.

Many eager goodgym hands made light work of the first two tasks and we soon moved to the river garden. At the river garden we helped turn the manure that the third group had transported in with the soil.

We took it in turns to shovel manure from the very large heap and wheelbarrow-ing it to the garden.

The sun was shining gloriously and we got to see our goat, donkey, sheep and pig friends. A great afternoon all in all.

Last night 12 runners ran 5km to leaflet for Southwark Refugee Response and Age UK

News

• The GoodGym Shindig is a-nearing! A weekend away in Stratford-Upon-Avon full of running, eating, drinking and workshops on the future of the organisation. We're looking for more people from Southwark to come. Yours truly will be there all weekend! I'd love to see you. It's taking place on 20th-22nd July. If you're interested, sign up here.

• Tonight is the monthly GoodGym wide social. Happening at the Slaughtered Lamb near Farringdon, there'll be merrymaking, hero-celebrating and punning. Sign up here.

• A big woop for Nedelina, Tristan and Holly who joined us for the first time last night!

That's enough of the business!

Last night's task was a little more complicated than usual and required the use of an actual real printed map gasp, shock. We had a few hundred leaflets from Southwark Refugee Response and Age UK in Southwark to spread far and wide. The Southwark Refugee Response leaflets heralded the upcoming People v Borders event on 16th June which includes a panel discussion, music, food stalls and all sorts. Southwark are planning an outing so please come along if you're keen! The Age UK leaflets detailed the amazing and varied offerings the organisation has in the area, from woodwoork to knitting and all kinds of activities to promote the wellbeing of older people in the area. Two extremely worthy causes!

We split into three groups of three different distances in different areas: 3km, 5km and 7km. With my pre-prepared routes we hoped to hit parts of Peckham, Nunhead and Dulwich. The challenge? Come back empty handed and, of course, most creative team photo wins a prize. The runners had 45 minutes to meet me back at the Rye for a fitness session.

Come 20.00, red tshirts began to appear from all corners of the Rye and every single one of them was empty handed! Hooray! Job done! Once on the Rye, I explained the Every Minute On The Minute workout (EMOM) which is a favourite of crossfitters. Basically, you have a set of exercises to do and a minute to do them in - depending on how fast or slow you do them you get more or less rest (and more or less tired as you do them!). We started with 4 burpees, 3 squats and 2 press-ups. We ended up with 7 burpees, 5 squats and 4 press-ups after 10 minutes. Next time I'll make it harder ;)

An excellent job done this evening team, Southwark Refugee Response and Age UK will be thrilled. Can't wait to see you next week! Sign up here.

Last night 12 runners ran 6k to clean toddler toys at the Salvation Army

On a beautiful warm evening we set off to the Salvation Army for a task that can only be described as child’s play! We ran a steady 3k to the Camberwell Salvation Army where we were greeted by Janet who we haven’t seen in a while. Nice to see you Janet! Our task - to remove toys from the children’s play cupboard, clean and dry them and put them back. Let’s get to work! Most people got to work with dettol and water whilst Helena worked out the logistics of what was best to tackle first (cupboard queen!). Dettol stations at the ready we started cleaning. We didn’t get to the really big ticket items (toy cars) but we got an awful lot done in 30 mins and Janet was very impressed.

There was of course a little time for hobby-horsing around but we mostly kept it pretty slick... well done team for a great job giving these children a super fresh start.

News

• Sunday is London Marathon day! The main GoodGym cheer point will be at Somerset House at Mile 24 - we’ll have the banner out so you should be able to see us! Come and join and shout and scream. It’s a huge amount of fun.

• We still have 59 coaches waiting to be paired in Southwark so if you’re keen to start coach running, sign up for your DBS check and let’s get going!

• We’re doing a parkrun takeover! Vote for which parkrun and what date we should do here.

• Next week we’re going to Surrey Docks Farm. It’s a good 11k total but there is the option of getting the overground home (and the others will be racing the train back!). It’s sure to be a good, physical task and of course you’ll get to say hello to some animals. We’ll need to leave bang on 19.00 and please bring your contactless/oyster/whatever it is people pay with these days if you decide to get transport back to base. Sign up here

Thanks for another great Wednesday team, looking forward to seeing you next week.

Lucy

13 runners ran 7km to spread love in Southwark last night

A big hello to our new runners last night Tom, Marie and Alex ! On Tuesday eve we heard the news that Cossall had a flood over the weekend so our plan to clear up the hall was postponed!

Thinking caps on, Helena helped me design a scavenger hunt. She also led a great warm up because I’m still a little broken from Paris marathon. We had many challenges with different point values that included handing out GoodGym leaflets, picking litter and exercises. The teams had 45 minutes to get back to base to tot up the scores.

Challenges: Photos of a good dog Litter picking (points per bag) Longest plank 20 burpees 20 squats Train stations GG leaflets handed out

Bonus: Pubs with P in them Interpretative team photo Best pun

Scores on the doors

• 4th place – The rebellion 63 points but with the LONGEST PLANK 07.08 - big cheer for Helena

• 3rd Place – 3 stars 104 points and the winner of the interpretation bonus for 'Two Star Tandoori' - see photo above!

• 2nd Place – Off Piste in Peckham 132 points and the pun winner or their team name

• 1st Place – Dogspotters 146 points and the most pubs (7!)

Each participant received a medal and a mystery red-themed prize. Solid work team, we spread some love around Peckham and had a blast doing it. Next week we’re going to the Salvation Army to help with their baby bank. I look forward to seeing you there!

Sign up here

Last night 12 runners ran 2km to tidy up the gardens at Cossall Park Estate

Wednesday is our favourite! Why? GoodGym of course!

Gathering at Old Spike Roastery as usual we prepared ourselves for another hump-day evening of getting fit and doing good.

A big smiley hello and welcome to Victoria who came to join us for the first time last night!

After a warm up we set off to Cossall Park Estate where we loitered by the Tenants and Residents Association Hall where the weekly youth club looked like they were having a great time running around. Shortly after we met Jaki and Alan of Friends of Cossall Park and Kirkwood Nature Reserve who split us into two groups - one clearing up the courtyard by the TRA Hall and a larger group went out to the raised beds around the corner to do some weeding. Tools and biodegradable compost bags at the ready, we got to work. As it's 1km out to Cossall Estate we had a good amount of time to get as much work as possible done. After half an hour the courtyard was spotless and the raised beds in a much better state. The courtyard group spotted some huge worms (see photo) and Lianne pretended to be a giant glowworm. I think it's fair to say we had fun! We thanked Jaki and Alan, posed for a group photo and treated ourselves to the refreshments that had kindly been provided. Girija enjoyed a particularly fancy glass of mango rubicon. Don't mind if I do!

Having executed our volunteering flashmob and enjoyed some snacks we went around the corner for a quick fitness session. It was planks, squats, jumping jacks, mountain climber galore. Heart rates sufficiently raised we headed back to base.

Well done on a great task everyone, Jaki was delighted with everything we got done.

See you next week! Lucy J

19 runners ran 7km to spread 2 tonnes of compost at the Camberwell Subterranea Project

We had two tonnes of fun!

Last night 19 brave runners headed on a slightly longer run than usual (7km!) to Camberwell Subterranea Project - an organisation that provides a sustainable hub for learning new skills in the local community. After a briefing and a warm up which somehow involved Chicken Potato Pie (which is a thing I promise - see here) we headed off into the night.

A big hooray for [Nico and Fred who joined us for their first GoodGym run!

3.5km is a long way and we did it in a smashing 23 minutes on the way out there. Speedy work everyone! We met Barnaby there who showed us the two tonnes of compost and where it needed spreading. We got to work in four groups - one moving composts from the bags into wheelbarrows and anything else we could carry compost in, one ferrying the compost back and forth from the raised beds, one spreading that compost and another weeding the beds to get them ready for their lovely new compost. In 20 odd minutes we had spread the entire amount of compost. Job done! We made light work of a job that would have taken hours. Excellent work team!

We thanked Barnaby for having us and set off back to base, not before taking an extremely well-directed photograph and of course the Southwark selfie.

The promise of a pint and maybe a pie got us back to Old Spike and into the White Horse where we had our monthly social.

Not forgetting, of course, that our very own Hanna Milton ran her 50th good deed with us last night! Cracking numbers Hanna!

Thank you for a great evening! Next week we'll be clearing planters at Cossall Park Gardens. Sign up here.