Julia

Five brave and noble Goodgymers took on the quest of marking Tolkien Day.

Katie explored Pembroke College, The Bodleian and The Radcliffe Camera.

Julia visited 20 Northmoor Road.

Bethan went for a sunny stroll around University Parks listening to a Tolkien themed podcast.

Anwen quaffed some Ashmolean gin.

However, the biggest adventurer this week was Ben who ticked off the vast majority of the Tolkien landmarks on a glorious looking run around Oxford.

I now have an urge to re-read the Hobbit!

Gandalf himself has the best description of Goodgymers:

It is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Simple acts of love and kindness.

Tonight we packed 38 parcels of food and hygiene supplies and delivered 25 of them on foot around East Oxford.

Peggy was excited to show off her snazzy new jumper, we peered at each other in actual daylight, and although more than 1 of the bag handles didn't survive beyond the car park fortunately all the cheese, greek yoghurt, corned beef, milk, veggies, bread and pasta made it to the 50 recipients in tact. There may have been a couple of head-scratching moments, but nothing we couldn't sort out, and everything got delivered before it was fully dark - an exciting springtime first!

Thank you to those who answered the call for donations and brought along some hygiene supplies to replenish the bare shelves with shower gel, deodorant and sanitary products, as well as other useful and appreciated items (tin openers, chocolate).

By the last light of the day 31 GoodGymers gathered beside a church on the Cowley Road.
At 5:45pm a watch beeped and -pop! - out of the Richard Benson Hall came a red-clad and very bossy group leader.
She started to look at the food parcel delivery list...

Who's here so far?

At 5:50pm the first food parcels left to be delivered.
But there was still more to do.

At 6pm bike panniers and rucksacks were filled.
But there was still more to do.

At 6:05pm asparagus and ragu were added to the parcels.
But there was still more to do.

At 6:10pm 5 food parcels went out in a flurry of activity.
But there was still more to do.

At 6:15pm the last of the regular food parcels went out of the door.
But there was still more to do!

At 6:30pm Emergency food parcels were loaded up, crates were stacked away, shelves were restocked, cardboard was broken down, meals were put in the fridge, fruit and vegetables were sorted out, buns were emptied, and stock levels reported.......

The team started to feel tired.

So the GoodGymers ate a whole Colin the Caterpillar. And they started to perk up, giving them the energy to run home and recover from their exertions....

.....so that they can do it all over again next Wednesday evening.

39 food parcels were packed and delivered on Wednesday night, which will help 50 adults, plus several children and babies.

Well done Angus on completing your 50th Good Deed!

Check out The Very Hungry Caterpillar here.

First things first, THANK YOU for turning out to make food bank deliveries tonight despite the dreadful weather. I hope you are all warm and dry now.

Secondly, I failed in my duties both as a group leader and a sister by not having cake tonight to celebrate Bethan's 100th Good Deed, which she did since last Wednesday. Double cake for everybody next week to make up for it! Well done also to Ruth and Alistair for getting to the 10 Good Deeds milestone. Warm welcome to Ariane who joined us for her first GG experience.

Tonight your efforts meant that:

40 food parcels were packed
32 food parcels were delivered by GoodGymers (the rest went by car with OMA volunteers)
which helped 56 adults plus several children and babies.

Here's some thanks from one of the recipients: "Thank you so much for that food parcel you made up for me today,.... Perfect!! It shows you care. You're a real life line for me.
Thanks again,
Your friend."

That's worth getting soggy for!

Big thanks to Tamasine for excellent work restocking and clearing up in the hall - the extra help inside was much appreciated.