Wow! What an amazing turn out of GG members we had at Frenford Foodbank today. We had 9 signed up initially, some late sign ups and some too late to sign ups (who turned up anyway 😊) and a couple who also brought friends along. I did my best to ensure everyone was included in the photos, sincere apologies if anyone still got lost in the crowd.

A big welcome to newcomer Jay who not only turned up for his first Good Gym session and got stuck straight in he brought a friend who also got stuck in and is now planning to join GG. Talking of which Pauline also brought a very helpful friend who is now thinking of joining up.

Its always a little busy at these sessions but with a additional massive donation arriving this week and so many people me "organised chaos" is the expression that comes to mind. As usual everyone got on with the job of preparing food packages, dealing with the lack of space with grace, courtesy and agility.

Between helping the drivers out with deliveries, we set about organising the huge delivery and pretty soon there were big spaces and empty crates where walls of goods had been, and a full storage shed and replenished shelves appeared ready for the next one.

It has been suggested that if they get another big donation of goods like that again that it would be a good idea for an additional session before we prepare the orders.

Good Job Good Gym and Friends 😁

Our Nargis could not do the full session at the Frenford Food Bank today so sent along a ringer in the form of her cousin Amira. Quick to learn and keen to get on with it Amira proved to be a real asset to the Food Bank team and is interested in looking into GG membership.

AJ put her organisational skills to good use in nappy and toiletries corner again while James continued last nights shelf filling. Yasmin made a welcome return to the team and got on with quiet efficient packing, so too did Sharon who, after a short refresher and introduction to a few changes, was soon making a valuable contribution.

Pretty soon we were all assigned to packing alongside the regular Frenford volunteers. We seemed to be all done in double quick time and in very good humour, from gently teasing James who was keen to organise our untidy rabble to his and Sharon's performance debut with a rendition of Wonder Wall. 🎶

(https://mobile.twitter.com/ggredbridge/status/1571259687743496192)

Nargis arrived to relieve Amira and was still there helping to clear up after the last of us left.

I do apologise for not being on the ball and missing half the team out of the photos 🙈 please be assured you all did a great job and it was much appreciated.

Ed assisted Linda with a couple of deliveries after the session which is why he's been added to this mission because Linda was too lazy to set up a separate one. 😜

On a sunny Saturday morning we met at Frenford to pack food parcels, continuing the great work that some of the team had started the night before. I thought must still be sleepy when I saw two of Nargis, but it was actually just that she had brought her twin sister Nasia along. Luckily Nasia was wearing glasses and a different coloured dress, so we just had to trust that they would stay in the same outfits and not pull any pranks on us. In any case, it was great to have double the hard work and efficiency. 🙂

We had our usual busy morning of packing parcels and unloading deliveries, accompanied by a soundtrack from my outing to All Points East music festival the day before. Genevieve kept us well fuelled with tea and coffee to help power through the work. Linda and James then headed for a lunch break before joining a cycle with Redbridge Cycling Campaign, while Jenny, Jay, Nargis and Nasia left to get on with the rest of the day. Another productive morning, well done team 👏

Another Saturday morning, another parcel packing session. Always a very satisfying task, especially when accompanied with music, tea and chat. Well done everyone, you always come up with the goods. 🙌