Eight GoodGym members turned out to help out at Strand on the Green School, even if one of us was late for registration.

We split into two teams and got straight to work around the pond area. One group — Florian, Michelle, Maxime and Chris — took on the tough task of clearing ivy from the wall surrounding the pond, making a big dent in what had become an impressive tangle.

Meanwhile, Lucy, Breda, Emily and Gus (once he eventually made it through the school gates — detention!!) got stuck into scrubbing the deck around the pond. Extra care was taken not to disturb the pond life, proving that speed and sensitivity can go hand in hand.

Armed with headtorches and running lights, we worked quick as a flash. Before long the jobs were done, it was time to run back, squeeze in some light stretches, and then — naturally — head to the pub.

Coming up this Saturday in Hounslow:

Our rearranged community mission with Friends of Harvard Hill, planting donated trees 🌱 https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/tree-planting-session-at-harvard-hill

A session helping out at Baron's pond in Gunnersbury https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/help-get-baron-s-ponds-ready-for-spring

Plenty more chances to get involved — hope to see lots of you there!

Elephants are known for their size, but tonight a small but mighty quartet of GoodGymmers were helping in the shadows of Twickenham stadium at at the Purple Elephant Project, charity that helps support with children’s mental health

Jane from the Purple Elephant Project a few jobs that needed doing outside in the garden area. The dark and cold January night didn’t put Harvey, Liz and Nina off piling and bagging up leaves that had fallen down and were carpeting the ground. As they say, rake it til ya make it!

Lucy had a hole different job, which was securing the fabric privacy screens along the edge of the fencing. The winter weather had caused it to come loose, and it was flapping around in the wind. Cable ties at the ready, the sheets were secured in the no time. And eyelet you in on a secret - a grommet press was used to help make holes to attach the zip ties to!

Jobs completed, Jane thanked up for our help on a chilly evening, and we made like a tree to leave.