Welcome first timers Tim, Alicia and Catherine joining us this evening.

A late cancellation meant that instead of heading back to Ealing Road we went flyering around the streets of Hounslow to let locals know that GoodGym is happening nearby.

Members Andy and Lily ( in brand new red t-shirt) led teams of three for a bit of a leafleting competition. Points were awarded for getting rid of flyers most quickly.

With local streets covered we turned our attention to some fitness and another chance to win some points.

First the step-up challenge. Who can do 40 steps the quickest? Andy gained a point for his team when we led with the right leg but Donna came out on top for Team Lily when it was left leg first.

With the scores at 4-2 to Andy's lot we had a go at a couple of relay races. Team Lily grabbed victory for the first round while Andy's came out on top for round two.

The prize? Andy got to cut Simon's leftover birthday cake back at base.

We had a munch and a bit of a stretch, left some leaflets at reception and headed home.

Great night of getting fit and doing good.

We are definitely at Ealing Road Baptist Church next week. See you there!

Simon

18 hardy souls ran 7 km to tidy up the Northern Slopes

What better way to start the weekend! Another really good Saturday morning turnout with many choosing to incorporate a GoodGym session into their weekend long run, whereas for others it was just a great excuse to get out and do some more good with some friendly faces.

Hot footing it from our base at Roll For The Soul with the sun on our faces we enjoyed a steady run along the Malago Greenway to the Northern Slopes on Novers Hill, ending with a dash up the Novers Hill steps like a scene from Rocky (even humming the tune as we went) like true champions!

With much punching of the air, we were greeted by our wonderful host, Julia, who explained today's task whilst arming us with a treasure trove of equipment from loppers, shears, saws, slashers, scythes, pitchforks to litter pickers.

Splitting into two groups, one group set about clearing a huge amount of litter of all shapes and sizes - beer cans were the standard fare, with the odd wheel, exhaust pipe and general detritus thrown (quite litter-ally) in for bad measure.

The other group armed themselves with bush and bramble clearing equipment and got stuck in to cutting back some of the more destructive foliage which has threatened to over-run the hillside. Getting "stuck in" particularly were Alice, who became rather attached to a piece of bramble and Rich who decided to go three rounds with a brute of a bramble and lost by a bloody nose!

After a hard hour's graft and a ten minute cold rain shower, we were rewarded with well earned hot drinks, cakes and biscuits before lugging our haul of bags of litter and equipment down the hill and set off on our way back to base.

Big thanks to Chris for backmarking today and to Matt for leading the warm down and stretches, whilst I headed off to the afternoon mission.

You guys totally smashed it today! Big love to you all!

Dave