We had a treemendous time decorating the trees at Parkview Care Home last night!

After some of us ran to the task from the sports centre, we met up with Andy, the care home activity co-ordinator, and the other GoodGymers.

We split into two groups in order to decorate the trees in different lounges, with the help of some of the residents. We had a lot of fun chatting with them and sorting through all the baubles.

In no time at all the trees were done and it was time for us to go.

Ho ho ho until next time ✨️!

It was a wet start to the day at Lesnes Abbey Woods junior parkrun, but the morning rain couldn't dampen the incredible spirit of our young runners! As your warm-up manager, I was thrilled to see so many smiling faces jumping and stretching, ready to take on the challenge, regardless of the drizzle. This dedication and enthusiasm always makes Sunday mornings special, proving that a little bit of rain just makes the achievements all the more impressive. The perseverance of all the little runners paid off spectacularly! Midway through the event, the clouds parted just enough to treat everyone to the stunning, scenic beauty of the park, complete with a brilliant rainbow arching over the course—a true cherry on top for everyone who braved the weather. Thank you, as always, to the brilliant hi-viz heroes who marshaled in the damp conditions, ensuring a safe and successful event for all our fabulous juniors.

What a truly wonderful morning at Danson Park! The November skies were thick and grey, but the atmosphere on the ground was golden thanks to our dedicated high-vis team.

From the perspective of the report writer, it was a pure privilege to witness the magic of volunteering firsthand. The cheering, the organisation, and the simple act of showing up turned a damp, quiet morning into a massive, warm celebration of community.

Volunteering is truly the best reward; seeing the genuine appreciation from every runner, jogger, and walker as they pass is infectious. It’s a powerful reminder that donating an hour of your Saturday results in endless connection and positive energy.

If you're looking for a rewarding way to start your weekend, please consider giving it a go—we wouldn't trade this view for anything!

Today, Ashton, Robert and I represented GoodGym to assist the Friends of Danson Park with their tree planting effort.

We focused on preparing the ground, adding essential manure, and carefully planting young trees to boost the park's green canopy and biodiversity.

It was a rewarding morning spent collaborating with the community, and we found genuine joy in knowing our efforts directly support the environmental health of Danson Park.

The task required focused, detailed work, ensuring each sapling was properly secured and set up for strong growth. Despite the cool weather, our team was highly productive, successfully establishing all the assigned trees.

To top off a great day, the Friends of Danson Park offered warm drinks and cookies, adding a lovely final touch of community spirit.

We are thrilled to have played a part in this vital green initiative and look forward to the long-term positive impact our work will have on the local ecosystem and for future park visitors.

As GoodGymers there's nothing we like more than starting a project and seeing it through to the end.

So last night's task was particularly satisfying, as we finished painting the Year 2 cloakroom at Holy Trinity Lamorbey Primary School - transforming the original scuffed yellow walls to a clean cream, over three separate visits.

As we rollered and brushed, there was plenty of chatter with Jane, the school's vice principal. For added entertainment, Jane showed us her favourite entry from a recently-unearthed school punishment book. Dating from December 1932:

Frightening small children with a dead rat: 2 strokes on the hand.

Eek, hopefully the only strokes on our record are our painting brush strokes!

We'll be back helping at the school next month - check the sessions listing and come and join us!

A crisp autumn morning brought us out to Lesnes Abbey Woods junior parkrun for event #472 this past Sunday. We saw 44 fantastic juniors run, jog, and walk their way around the course!

It was a special day for our family, as my 5-year-old completed their first-ever junior parkrun and also joined me for their first volunteering role as part of the pre-event setup crew.

We absolutely loved getting the course ready and are officially keen to join the hi-viz team every week!

Another great Sunday spent supporting the community and the future of parkrun!