GoodGym had a great day at the Big Sports Day in Wimbledon Park celebrating sport in the borough. We met with Roxanne Bennett, the Sports and Leisure Manager, from Merton Council, Councillor Caroline Cooper Marbiah, and the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Slawek Szczepanski, and told them all about how great GoodGym is and how we can support local charities and community groups in the borough once GoodGym Merton is launched. We just need three more taskforce to launch so if you want to be part of the process then let us know!

We spent an hour walking round the event handing out leaflets and explaining what we do. Jade got into networking mode and chatted with all the community groups and created valuable connections face-to-face to let them know how GoodGym Merton could support them.

So lovely to meet Caroline and work with Jade and bond as the founding group of Goodgym Merton. Very excited for the launch! Watch this space.

We were back at one of GoodGym Kingston's favourite spots this evening: the ever-generous charity, Growbaby. As per usual there was a mountain of sorting to do but this time it was different... Growbaby are moving location in the near future and needed us to not just sort their donations but take a critical view as to what should really be moved across and what doesn't make the cut.

After running, walking and cycling our way to the task, Rachel gave us the brief and we got stuck in. Luke took charge of car seats, Claire wrangled with the play mats, while Anna, Emily and Hannah sorted books, board games, toys and kitchenware. Jonathan put his best foot forward sizing up the shoes, Marcos and Sabir checked food and milk against use-by dates, and Hannah and Dave kept the baby toys under control.

The hour went by quickly with so much sorting, assessing and plenty of chat. Bin bags were filled, shelves were tidied and countless items were organised and ready for their next chapter. Most importantly, GrowBaby is now one step closer to a smooth move to its new location.

Job done, we headed off into the evening, powered by the satisfaction of another mission accomplished.

This evening for the first of our double sessions tonight Claire, Anna, Saber and myself met to water these two plots to encourage their growth - flowers and veg alike. This was all taken in gratefully as they still await any rain 🙏.

Saber and Petra met Brian at Hogsmill garden to help cutting back the hedges after a long summer break. Both hedge trimmers fully charged, job got done in no time, making the inner path between hedges and flower beds once again clear for people to use. See you in a month.

Today I met Dani and one other volunteer at the hive to clean up the place and surroundings. Painting was done, graffiti cleaned and a litter pick done before a cup of tea and chat.

A familiar story as GoodGym Kingston headed to Canbury Gardens but this time for a double mission. Not one but two lots of watering to do. Split into two teams Sabir, Emily and Marie filled up the barrels from the river to water the Community Garden and ensure a water stock for the next shift.

Meanwhile over at the GoodGym flowerbed Anna, Matt and Claire planted a few plants that were getting far too big for Claire’s garden. Having popped some stakes in to keep them standing tall multiple trips to the river took place to gather lots of water so that the plants could all be fed and watered.

Having completed the planting and watering Marie and Matt fixed the wheel barrow and it was time to reward ourselves with a few fresh tomatoes 🍅 and beans 🫘 from the community garden.