What an eventful night!

Nine volunteers managed to gather to support the newspaper distribution for Post Community News —seven fully signed‑up GoodGymers, one accidental (borderline ambushed) recruit, and one enthusiastic joiner. A warm welcome to Emily, who survived—sorry, enjoyed—her very first on‑the‑day session! 😄🎉

Things kicked off with the traditional folding of 300 Stockport Post newspapers at the backyard picnic table. But the rain clearly felt left out and decided to RSVP “YES” at the last minute… so everything was swiftly relocated indoors. The living room suddenly transformed into a cosy gossip-and-fold HQ, perfect for spilling tea in both the literal and dramatic sense. Just when the plot needed thickening, Meera arrived fashionably late (she got lost) wielding news so explosive it could have competed with the Post’s front page. Honestly, it felt like a mini‑reunion! 🥰🎉

With more volunteers than usual (and a weather system that clearly wanted a volunteering badge), the team put on their strategic hats to plan the house‑to‑house distribution with military precision—no duplicate deliveries on our watch! Group 1, Kirsty, Jamie, Mandy, and Ben tackled the A6 side of the neighbourhood. Group 2 - Emily, Mithra, Meera, Laura, and Hazel - swept across the Shaw Heath side. The rain insisted on joining every step of the route, leaving everyone soaked, soggy, and slightly pruney… but undeniably happy little kittens.

A chaotic, rainy, tea‑filled, productive GoodGym session—just the way we like it. 🌧️💪😄

Welcome to Scott for the first time this evening! Best of luck in the Media City Half Marathon this weekend 🏃‍♂️

This evening was our monthly foodbank run, to donate spare items to Manchester South-Central foodbank to go towards food parcels. With half term next week, there is often an increased demand, so we tried to squeeze a donation in. Some items donated included:

• Tinned tuna 🐟
• Tinned spaghetti 🍝
• Tinned veg 🥕🥒🥔
• UHT milk 🥛
• Rice 🍚
• Rice pudding
• Pasta sauce 🍝
• Tinned soup 🍲

We covered ~4.8 km in total, making our way through Hulme to the donation point at the big ASDA. On the way back, we had a quick tour via Man Met University and a loop near Manchester Central Convention Centre.

Hazel and Ben were up bright and early to volunteer at parkrun.

Hazel marshalled at Bramhall Park event number 823. 381 people took part with 42 volunteers enabling the event to take place.

Ben delivered the first timers welcome and marshalled at Fletcher Moss event number 283 where 403 runners and walkers completed the muddy course. 26 volunteers helped out in total.