kindness and laughter

GoodGym's David Guest, a runner who has been a big part of GoodGym since his first run in November 2014, has completed his 500th good deed. Here, long standing GoodGym Bristol runner Paul Becker describes why David's contribution to GoodGym can never be summed up by a number. Beneath it is a message from Eve, the older person he runs to visit every week.

Everyone loves Dave. His warmth and gentle sense of humour help to make anyone who meets him feel instantly at ease - whether it's a new starter on their very first run or an elderly mission host, nervous about receiving visitors.

he works his socks off

Without fail, Dave remembers everyone's name and takes a genuine interest in what's going on in their life; he's just the best company you could have on a mission, not only does he work his socks off getting the gardening sorted, but by the end he's helped you sort out whatever was worrying you and come up with a killer pun for the run report.

He's the first to step in if you need an extra run leader and it was Dave who volunteered to lead the Saturday group runs here in Bristol when they moved to a weekly basis, often running straight over from Ashton Court parkrun to be there in time to greet everyone.

happy to don the odd bat costume or reindeer outfit

Dave's a great sport, always in the thick of it at socials and races both locally and nationally and far more interested in encouraging other runners than pursuing his own goals. He's even happy to don the odd bat costume or reindeer outfit if the occasion demands it.

Stats don't matter to Dave, he won't be concerned that it's his 500th good deed today, he'll just be rolling up his sleeves and hoping for a really physical task - with something heavy or hard to dig out, all the while chatting away and administering plenty of kindness and laughter to anyone around him.

a wonderful man

Eve, the older person that David runs to visit ever week, said of him:

"He's been wonderful, he's a wonderful man. He's been such a good friend; his friendship means a lot to me, it's a very good friendship. I can't speak any higher of him, he never lets me down and he always has a nice chat with me. I've been very blessed by getting to know him."

Give dave a cheer here.