It was fantastic to welcome new runner Sherif to the gg family, a welcome and really helpful addition.

The weather was fantastic last night, so it was a bit of shame we were heading inside, but as soon as we arrived Jess and the team at Common Thread brought the sunshine inside!

This week we were packing up clothes parcel for people in need, from families to funerals. It was great to know who the parcels we were putting together were going to, really bringing the charities reach and impact to life.

Some people got to general sorting of donations, whilst others had a printed sheet of the peoples requirements.

Refreshments were on had and as ever, were really appreciated.

It was great to see everyone and help out again with our friends at Common Thread.

Until next time, happy running! :)

First of all welcome Jenny Hide to Goodgym. This is her first session. Altogether 8 runners ran in light drizzle from The Showroom up to Lynwood Gardens. We were met by David who then gave us instructions and introduced himself to us. Nice and friendly David gave us various tools, gloves and led us to the cycling path which was overgrown . We were then given further instructions of what needed doing. We worked in pairs, cutting, pruning. pulling weeds out , sweeping and showelling the greenery, leaves and branches to designated areas. Lots of stinging nettles needed attention and pulling or pruning back. Fortunately 8 of us and strong, experienced David managed to clear the cycling path to make it safe for pedestrians and cyclists.

The 3 of us net at The Showroom. We walked, jog and ran up to Rock Street, off Pittsmoor Road. It was a very. very hot day. So glad we drank some water before at The Showroom. We then met up with Karen and another volunteer. Bags , hoops and Litter Pickers were given. We were then told where to do the tasks. We did a good 45 minutes but fortunately we had some shade. There were loads of fly tipping of cardboard and clothes too. Cans, bottles and loads of other litter were collected by 5 people all together. Certainly made the streets looking cleaner and tidier. Good job well done by all. Thank you team. Bob persuaded us to go to The Harlequin Pub fir a cool drink. Thank you Bob for treating us. Well deserved drink.

I joined Alex a few minutes after he'd already started the task for Mrs S after Google maps directed me an awkward way on my bike. He was already busy weeding between the paving, where the spring sun and rain has done their thing and they'd grown... well, like weeds! I got stuck in at the other end and we kept going until we'd met in the middle.

It was difficult to get to the root of the problem between paving stones, so it seems likely that it won't take it long for things to grow back, but it looks smarter for now and hopefully Mrs S will be able to keep on top of it.

7 Goodgymers helped out Bloom at the allotment. We welcome Rob to Goodgym. Lovely evening for a wonderful task. We met up with Kendall who then explained to us the task involved. Spades, showels and wheelbarrows were given and we were led down the path where the wood chip pile was. Lovely smell of fresh wood chip and we all chatted away whilst filling the wheelbarrows with woodchip. Then up and down the paths we walked and some even ran to the allotment. Then spread the wood chip around to designated areas. We hope Kendall is happy and satisfied with our workout. A beautiful evening with Bloom. Also t a big Thank you to all the photographers, especially Seft.

Five goodgymmers met up with the lovely Common Thread volunteers to sort through heaps of recent clothes donations. After Fran and Jess's welcome, we organised ourselves around the tables, going through bags of clothes and sorting them according to gender and type of clothes. We were also looking for specific clothes to make bundles for other charities who were looking for particular items for clients. It was Vivien's first Goodgym session at Common Thread and just like the rest of us, she got stuck in, unearthing some fab clothes finds, making piles of coats, dresses, jumpers etc. Well done!!! We filled up the lift and soon it was time to bid goodbye to Common Thread, some of us leaving with donated leeks from Fran''s allotment or a fancy and snazxy item of clothing! Another job well done, gang! See you guys soon!