Who needs a fancy gym membership when you can get a full-body workout saving a garden? GoodGymers Roy and Sherman arrived at Mrs. K’s ready to sweat, skipping the weights for some intense green cardio. After consulting Mrs. K on her priorities, the duo mapped out their tactical fitness plan. Top of the list was tackling a massive, overgrowing tree to cut back as many branches as humanly possible. Second was clearing the weeds swallowing her front door pathway—a crucial task, as these tripping hazards had previously caused Mrs. K to fall. The mission came with a twist: brand-new tools but absolutely zero power tools. Every branch had to be wrestled manually, with the most stubborn limbs requiring a slightly rusty hand saw. It was the ultimate test of endurance! Fortunately, Roy’s skillful hands saved the day. He eradicated the weeds, transforming the hazardous front pathway into a safe entrance. With time ticking away, the third priority—taming the branches invading the neighbor's side—had to be left for a future visit. Jungle tamed, safety restored, gym goals achieved!

This morning I volunteered at Queen’s Park Junior parkrun as one of the timekeepers.

It was a busy event with lots of enthusiastic children taking part, which kept us on our toes from start to finish. Despite the high numbers, everything ran smoothly, with all the runners making their way around the course and plenty of smiles at the finish line.

As timekeeper, my job was simple but important: making sure every finisher’s time was recorded accurately. Thankfully there were no timing dramas, and the teamwork from all the volunteers helped ensure the event went without a hitch.

A great way to start the day and fantastic to see so many young runners enjoying themselves and getting active. Well done to everyone who took part, and thanks to the volunteer team for making another successful junior parkrun happen!

Brighton goodgymers walked, jogged and cycled to Manor Paddock to meet with task owner Luc who quickly put us to work.

As always, Luc was prepared for our help and had numerous seperate garden jobs already set up with kneeers, tools, gloves and bags.

We got to work pulling up weeds that were taking over the flower beds, as well as raking up cut grass and cutting back plants in various stages of wildness. The difference that many hands made in a short time was unbelieveable and all jobs were completed.

Luc, as always, was very grateful to have our help as they normally tend the garden alone and it becomes overwhelming very quickly.

As a bonus we also managed to dodge the promised rain, despite the ominous sounding thunder that was our evenings musical accompaniment!

Two GoodGymers headed to Queen’s Park Junior Parkrun on Sunday morning to help ensure everything ran smoothly. Both volunteers took up marshalling positions around the course, ready with encouragement, directions, and plenty of smiles for the young runners.

After a run of particularly hot weather, it was a welcome relief to enjoy a cooler morning, making conditions much more comfortable for both the volunteers and everyone taking part.

The junior parkrunners brought plenty of enthusiasm and energy to the event, and it was great to see so many smiling faces making their way around the course. Our marshals cheered participants on, helped keep everyone safely on track, and contributed to the friendly atmosphere that makes junior parkrun such a special community event.

A special welcome goes to Katharina, who completed her first GoodGym task. Congratulations on getting involved and making such a positive contribution to the morning! Apologies I didn't get the chance to meet you, hopefully meet you at a future session to say hello.

With all the children enjoying themselves and the event running without a hitch, it was another successful morning of volunteering at Queen’s Park Junior Parkrun.

A gaggle of goodgymmers ran and cycled all the way up to Waterhall to help Brighton Food Partnership (BFP) keep the clubhouse in good order. BFP have a lease on the clubhouse and rent it out for private parties, events and weddings to raise much needed funds for their efforts to use food to bring people in the community together. Rachel had heard that an Adder* had recently bitten a dog nearby so we were on high alert!

On the hottest May day ever recorded in the UK, we were greeted by Rob with delicious cold drinks and given an overview of the tasks. We split into two groups, one to clean the huge windows looking out over the South Downs and the other to weed the pathway from the carpark to the clubhouse to make it wheelchair accessible. Luckily the temperature had cooled slightly and it was very pleasant in the shade. Rob provided a huge array of tools to help us on our way.

It was tough conditions to work in but we made sterling progress in clearing the path and sheening up the window. Job done we ran, cycled and bussed back home to try and somehow stay cool.

*Adders can grow upto 80cm and are the UK's only poisonous snake species (1). They are heavily protected and bites are unlikely to be a problem for humans - the last recorded death was a 5 year old boy in 1975 (2).

(1) https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/animals/reptiles-and-amphibians/adder/

(2) https://www.surrey-arg.org.uk/SARG/07000-Publications/Guides/Langham%20-%20Fatalities%20attributed%20to%20adder%20bite%20in%20Britain%20.pdf

Three GoodGymers in 30 degree heat took on what can only be described as a jungle… slash small unexplored continent for Clarion Housing this week, helping Ms T reclaim her very steep and seriously overgrown garden. In a Brighton heatwave like this, it felt less like a community mission and more like an audition for I’m A GoodGymmer, Get Me Out Of Here. Armed with an astonishing collection of gardening tools (seriously, we’ve never seen so many), we ventured bravely into the wilderness, carefully navigating towering weeds, brambles, and enough nettles to keep a pharmacist busy for weeks. Sherman quickly became the undisputed “Lord of the Strim”, transforming from GoodGym runner to full-time jungle warrior. Roy tackled the dense undergrowth like a man on a mission, and Annette proved to the gang that yes, girls, really can sweat!! Despite the blazing heat and the almost vertical slope, in just 90 minutes we managed to clear an incredible amount of space. Paths reappeared, fences saw daylight again, and whole sections of the garden emerged from leafy depths. Most importantly, we were able to make a huge difference for Ms T who was so incredibly grateful of the support.
From jungle to joy, what amazing work from the Mission Team today🌿☀️