Many paws really did make light work! When Maria, Harvey, Sevan, Steph Ducat, Kash and Iram arrived at the end of the fair, most stallholders had already made great progress packing away their wares. We helped some people take items outside to load up their cars but mostly we packed away tables, stacked chairs and moved other items back to their rightful homes.

Always on the lookout for the next useful task, we even experimented with creative chair-transport techniques: a trolley stacks with five GoodGymers. The most ambitious move of the afternoon was transporting a piano. Thankfully the team managed it without any bumps or breakages, and it was still playing beautifully afterwards.

With the hall cleared and everything back in place, we were rewarded for iour efforts with some leftover food and a cheerful bunch of daffodils to take home.

The team gathered bright and early to help prepare for the 46th Ealing Animals Fair, an annual event that raises funds to help relieve the suffering of animals around the world.

Kash, Steph Ducat and Iram were the first on the scene, proving that early birds really do catch the worm. Then Sevan, Lucia and Nayantara dropped by to lend a hand. It was pawsome to welcome Lucia and Nayantara to their first GoodGym session!

As stallholders began arriving with carloads of goods, the GoodGymers helped keep things running smoothly by guiding drivers through the one-way drop-off system, helping them unload quickly, and pointing them towards nearby parking. Once the cars were emptied, it was time for the heavy lifting. Volunteers helped carry boxes, displays and supplies to the right tables so stallholders could set up their stalls and get ready for the fair. With lots of vehicles arriving one after another, teamwork and speedy unloading were key to keeping the area clear for the next arrivals.

There were plenty of unusual and delightful finds on display, including a dog-shaped plush bag and a toy armadillo, alongside stalls full of animal-themed treats raising money for great causes. With visitors beginning to arrive and the fair buzzing with activity, we took the opportunity to enjoy the fair and chat with stallholders (one had published an interesting book) and learn about the imminent arrival of local actor, Peter Egan.

Last night’s run featured many bags of collected rubbish, muddy shoes, curious passers-by with their dogs, and a very tough fitness session. Just another night with GG Hounslow!

We headed out for one of our regular plastic and litter picks down by the river. This is something we do regularly because it genuinely makes a difference. Rivers are highways for plastic and rubbish – what gets dropped upstream ends up traveling further downstream and into wider ecosystems. Our visits mean we clear the draw dock, keep the path looking welcoming and remind people that someone cares about this stretch of river.

Armed with gloves, bags and pickers, we got stuck in. Passers-by had plenty of encouraging comments as we worked our way along. There’s something about a group of runners in red stopping to pick up litter that draws attention and hopefully makes them reconsider dropping that crisp packet! By the time we wrapped up, we’d collected quite a few bags even though it wasn’t exactly dry out there either. Check out Steph’s muddy shoes. A GoodGym badge of honour in my book!

With the job done, we headed back to Turnham Green for what can only be described as a brutal fitness session combining sprinting laps and strength exercises with a dose of tactics. Michelle took the lion's share of the laps with some very impressive distance, while Lucy somehow managed to squeeze in a day of double fitness. Florian delivered some excellent sprinting form among a huge effort from everyone.

I’m just finalising next week’s session, so watch this space. There are also some missions coming up, including working on the eyot this Saturday and a session gardening at Hope Church.

A week after the Walpole Park tree whips mulching, we were back to... Walpole Park for more tree whips mulching! Sounds repetitive? Sometimes the tasks may feel similar. You may be on the 9874th shovelful of woodchip in your GoodGymming career. Or doing the 79th wheelbarrow run this year. But you show up. There will be a different set of GoodGymers, different chats, different weather, and different challenges. You find freedom in the routine. You know that that session is a part of your week, fortnight, or month, and you will feel better than if you'd stayed at home.

Who knows that better than tonight's hero, Harvey, who has just reached the amazing 1000 good deeds? In fact, 1003 good deeds, as Harvey wouldn't stop just because he hit the highest official milestone at GoodGym! In the last 8 or 9 years, Harvey had been consistently present at group runs and community missions, not only in Ealing but across the whole of London. As a GoodGym run leader, he's been leading social runs and epic warm-ups at flagship Ealing races, connecting us with the local running community and encouraging new generations of runners through volunteering at junior parkruns and the Ealing Mile. Congratulations on your impressive milestone, Harvey!

Chris, James, Sevan, Steph Ducat and Kash were at Walpole Park to celebrate Harvey's achievement and, of course, do some woodchipping. With experience from the week before and an extra pair of hands on the team, they finished the mulching task more quickly and completed the entire section of planted whips along the southeast path of the park. Top quality work, everyone! No more woodchipping needed ahead. Well, until our session in Lammas Enclosure in two weeks! Sign up now!