Each Monday morning, GoodGym lends a hand at the South Ealing Community Food Cupboard, helping the volunteers sort and organise surplus food for the local community.

The delivery was running a little late this Monday, but there were plenty of volunteers on hand to make up for lost time. Once the van arrived, they got straight to work and made quick progress unloading and packing everything away.

There was a good selection of fresh fruit alongside a particularly impressive amount of soup. By the time we finished, the shelves were well stocked and the fridge was packed full too!

p.s. thank you Denzel for taking photos and sharing what happened!

On an exceptionally warm Tuesday night, eight GoodGymers reprised their roles as rake and spade wielders and wheelbarrow drivers in the sequel to the magnificent fruit tree mulching task in Blondin Park. Dora even made it into the permanent cast after her debut at the same location last month! The task owner, Linda, wasn't around this time to welcome us, but she had arranged for volunteer David to support us and provide everything we needed - apart from Linda's famed hot chocolate!

The soft, golden-hour light was replaced this time by a darker backdrop, punctuated by flashing headlamps and work lights that helped the team find the apple trees in need of mulching. A few trees had been waiting for a dose of woodchip, with their bases exposed, since the beginning of August. These were prioritised for mulching by most of the team, while Richard and Giles made a start on digging the grass out from around a tree that wasn't quite ready for woodchipping yet.

Despite the late hour and the time of year making for less-than-bright conditions, everyone enjoyed the mild night-time temperature, with only a few drops of rain falling from the sky. The team achieved an impressive amount in such dim conditions, leaving only a few larger trees still awaiting their turn for mulching.

This is officially the last session at the Pokopia Garden, but it was also the most attended session. Thank you Afshin, Danielle & Rainu for making the last session a team effort rather then a solo endeavor.

Before everyone arrived, I ran from Acton Old Town to a storage locker the Ealing team use to get some watering cans. Since it's not just me, I had to make sure I had enough equipment for everyone to take part. We started by checking the flower beds for any trash, dead plants and weeds. They were all put into the closest bin, thank you Afshin for bringing extra gloves.

Once all trash was removed, it was time for watering. I stayed by the water hose to fill up the watering cans for the team. Once they were filled, the rest of the team took turns watering the plants and bringing the cans back to get refilled. With more hands, this task was done a lot faster then usual. We all had a great time, it's a shame the Garden will be removed soon but it was a beautiful sight which I'm sure brighten up the faces of the local residents. Job well done team.

After a successful Ealing Half Marathon earlier in the day, six of of our crew came back to the route to take down warning signs, mile markers and directions.

Two of our number had taken part in the race - Steph Ducat and Harvey, amazing that they still had the legs to get round again! Other had stood cheering runners on - Ealing Half really is a community event and so well supported.

We have become experts in snipping plastic ties, a life skills that could come in handy if ever stranded on a desert island! There was a bit of confusion early on as we went round of our section of the route in reverse, but it was dark and taking the long way round isn't so terrible, is it?!

Signs under our arms, we headed to drop them off at Lisa's house - the well known coordination point (Lisa also has a camper van and delivers the signs to their year round storage, a handy person to know).

At the end of a satisfying day, our team headed off into the night to for r and r (not rock n roll; rest and recuperation!).

Thousands of runners wizzed through the streets of Ealing for the annual half marathon. Loads of familiar faces running or cheering. What a great atmosphere and well done to all. We all went bananas at the end 😀 Thanks to the GG supporters on the route.

Kash and Gus were tasked with moving one hospital bed from one room to another.

Unfortunately even after trying at different angles and the bed lowered to its most compact form, the bed was too big to fit through the door. After thorough investigation of the frame, trying a disassembly (not finding an instruction manual on the internet) the best they can (without any tools at their disposition), Kash and Gus decided it was better to put it all back together and where it was.

Perhaps next time with tools!