On a frosty afternoon we were warmly welcomed with some antibacterial spray and Frannie at the door. Like good elves we socially distanced and listened to our instructions for the session. 4 in a hall, 3 upstairs, 2 in the kitchen and a sweeper in the pear tree.

In the main hall; food packages were sorted, tins were stacked and ordered.

Upstairs, volunteers replishened the stock in the hall.

A few volunteers cleaned the kitchen thoroughly and swept the floor.

The recycling team was strong; sorting between mixed and household waste, breaking paper boxes and braving the cold on a short trip to the bins.

21 GoodGymers ran 6km to help Graham Street Park!

Welcome along to Jess whose first time it was last night - great to have you along!

In the news this week:

1. Lots of people ran London Marathon and other marathons on Sunday - amazing! If you are feeling inspired you can sign up to the London ballot here.
2. A massive well done to Alix who did a big PB at Hamburg Marathon on Sunday!
3. Also a huge big up to Dan who did his first half marathon and race in Fulham last week - awesome sauce.
4. May's GoodGym Social is in Peckham on Thursday 9th May, more details coming soon!

After a quick warm up we headed to Graham Street Park via Liverpool Road and some nice down hill. Skipping through Angel we arrived to meet Nicky who founded Friends of Graham Street Park, and Mark from Islington council. Everyone was very excited that Graham was now home in his park, where he grew up, where he learnt to run and where he became very tall (maybe fake news).

Graham's home!

This was a new task, and they were prepared with lots to do and tools to use. The park is very well used by families and all the kids. We helped them with the following:

• Planted some lovely plants around the walkway.
• Loosened up and turned over some very hard ground (harder than a Victoria sponge according to Chris)
• We littered picked around the park and sand pit. Keeping the kids safe.
• Cleared an area of thistles so the kids stop hurting themselves.
• We dug out three rose bushes and carefully replanted them in a triangle hole outside of the play area.

Over 30 minutes we got all this done and more. Really well done, Nicky was very appreciative! After being treated to some exotic New Zealand Toffee Tops (thanks James) and also hop nops, we ran home a different - nice!

Next week we are meeting at the Arc Centre and helping Barnsbury Square Gardens - sign up here. Please come, I know it's bank holiday but we've got good to do!

PB out

19 Goodgymers ran 4km to help Single Homeless Project shift some woodchip!

Welcome along to the newbies - Holly, Rachel and Zhichu thanks for coming along guys.

In the news this week:

1. Well done to Graham and Patrick for organising GoodGym takeover at Finsbury Park Parkrun on Saturday - see Graham's report here.
2. There is a wonderful GG Long Run this Sunday led by Simon Fitzmaurice - more details here.
3. There should be a GG Monthly Social next Thursday, more details to come from Pritesh.

After warming up we headed North by North-West, through the back streets and over Holloway Road to the Single Homeless Project on Mercer Road. This fantastic charity help provide accommodation and support homeless people in our community.

We met Regina and she told us that the woodchip to be moved comes from woodcutters who donate it to the charity - awesome! Our task was to shovel, carry and empty around a ton of woodchip from the front garden to the back.

Helping the homeless

We got going getting four people shovelling, another three people holding bags and Meg, Faye and Patrick with their headtorches emptying out the woodchip in the back garden. Everyone else was positioned in a human train through the house - nice!

After 15 minutes we were done, very quick! There was a lot less woodchip than normal and everyone was efficient in this warm February weather.

Once we were finished we took a group picture and headed back to the Emirates where everyone smashed a time trial - well done all :)

Sign up for next week here.

PB out

32 Goodgymers ran 5km to help Caxton House decorate a Christmas Tree and do some gardening!

Thanks to coming to Islington's Christmas Edition! It was spectular :)

The main news this week is to remember we are back from Monday 7th January, I don't expect to see you on Christmas Eve or New Years Eve - make sure you have a fun holiday!

Back to what happened last night - after our intro Huw (New Leicester Trainer) led a warm up with the theme of 12 exercises of Christmas. We splitted into two groups as we headed up hill 2.5km to Caxton House Community Centre, with James leading a faster group doing a lap of the Emirates. This fantastic centre provides a hub for community activities; including gardening, education projects and even a credit union.

Upon our arrival at the centre we were presented with a very large Christmas tree and some gardening to do. Splitting into two groups we got started with both tasks. Group One put the tinsel, lights and some stars on the tree. Meanwhile Group Two weeded the front garden and dug for bamboo. With Christmas music playing inside and out, joy was in the air!

Switch over the Elves

The teams switched tasks, with Group Two continuing the garden efforts, adding in some chopping back bushes. Meanwhile Group One put baubles on the train and of course Santa at the top of the tree. Nice! Once all the tasks were finished we had a mince pie, switched on the tree lights and took a lovely group photo.

After saying our goodbyes to Rose and Sue we ran home, and then stretched before going to the pub and for pizza #XmasParty.

Sign up for the first group run of 2019 (7th January) here.

See you in the New Year! Merry Christmas Everyone!

PB out

20 Goodgymers ran 5km to help the Rose Bowl sweep leaves - plus finished with a time trial!

Welcome along to newbie Tim whose first time it was last night, lovely to have you join us!

In the news this week:

1. GG London Xmas Party - it's this Saturday down in Southwark! Get your fancy dress costumes out and get ready to sing wham! If you haven't signed up please do and if you haven't paid the £4 please also do that - both ASAP.
2. GG Raceteam has two London Marathon places, you need to be part of the raceteam and have your name down if you'd like a chance - email graham@goodgym.org for more details
3. GG Islington Xmas Party will be after the last group run of the year on the 17th December, we'll be going for an Italian - bring your Christmas hat!

Back to what happened last night, after warming up we split into two groups. James led a team of 6 to leaflet for the This Girl Can Running Group in Islington, they dropped the leaflets on the way to the Rose Bowl.

The rest of us went straight to the Rose Bowl Community Centre via Higbury Fields and Balls Pond Road. This is a fantastic centre that looks provides education programmes, activities and counselling services to young people in the community. They've got a fantastic quad area and garden that is well used but at this point covered in leaves!

Party Ring Nostalgia

Our job was simple but big, to collect up as many leaves as possible across the space. Armed with brooms, rakes, shovels and bags we split into groups to get the job done. While everyone filled bags upon bags of leaves, a team of 5 was cutting back bamboo, trees and weeds - nice! Fuelled by hob nobs and party rings everyone smashed 30 mins of hard work. Well done!

After taking a group picture we headed back home slightly a different way and then did our monthly time trial!

Sign up for next week here when we will be returning to Mildmay Community Centre

PB out