On a glorious Wednesday summer evening we gathered at the HQ for another great group run and task.

Firstly, I'd like to welcome Angela to the group for her first run with us. Hope you enjoyed yourself and our chatty little group.

Tonights task was to deliver leaflets for 6 different charities that Fay had taken time during the week to fold (400 of them) together to make an easy bundle to post. As always, Thank you Fay.

Before we set off Martin produced a bag full of courgettes that he had spare and needed to find a good home for. And Leanne also had some rhubarb that she wanted to share with the group. Deciding that running with these wouldn't be wise we left them in Leanne's car and set off to meet Fay and Sallyann.

We met them just outside Springfield Baptist Church with bags full of leaflets and distributed them to all and set-off down Sandford road. Splitting into 2 groups we managed to not lose each other and even not to miss a letterbox.

Carrying on until almost all the leaflets were delivered we headed back to HQ and retrieved the rhubarb and courgettes and distributed them to those who wanted them.

As always thanks for coming guys, literally couldn't have done it without you.

Next week we will be going to the visitors center at Chelmsford prison to paint their outdoor area. ( there will also be a social after the run with some non alcoholic beer if you want to stay on)

Run Happy

Rich

Everyone arrived perfectly on time, so after a quick photo opportunity, we set off in the sunshine to Chelmer Village.

We met Fay with a large quantity of expertly folded leaflets, for five local charities and set off down our first road to leaflet. Initially, we chatted about the quite large houses and spread out down the little turnings. As the leafletting went on, we kept finding ourselves in a confusing network of cul-de-sacs, before finding a main road, and then getting lost in more side roads again.

We firstly lost Joe and Sallyann down one side road, then Rich, Joe and Joel down another, followed by me, Erin, Rich, Joe and Joel down the last and longest maze of all. Seems like Joe was the main culprit for leading people astray (slightly alarming after me and Erin discovered a mutual fear of peril), and David, Andy and Richard were the only three who managed to stick to the main path.

After finding our way out, some of us went straight home, whilst Rich led the rest of the group back.

A couple of reminders:

We've got parkrun volunteering coming up on the 1st of July for those who signed up (still spaces for anyone who wants to volunteer), followed by breakfast for everyone who wants to join.

We're heading to the Chelmsford summer beer festival on Thursday 13th July, sign up and find the link to buy your entry ticket here

See you all soon

Laurie

12 GoodGymer's ran and walked to deliver leaflets for four local causes

We had a great mix of regulars, returners and a first timer for our second multiple leaflet delivery of the year. In particular, it was great to meet Erin for her first GoodGym session, welcome Doug back after a break, and Joe P for his third GoodGym of 2023.

Apart from Joel's surprisingly voluminous beard, the main news of the evening was Joe M's shock when I announced that it would be his 50th good deed, a brilliant achievement over the past 18-ish months. Excellent work Joe, can't wait to see your shiny black GoodGym t-shirt!

After jogging up to Chelmer Village, we saw the three familiar faces of Fay, Sallyann, and Roxy (in a nice new red GoodGym t shirt) ready with bags of leaflets to hand out.

We got off to a slightly concerning start, losing Martin for around 5 minutes in the first few roads, but he did reappear and confirmed that he had been quite lost. Rich continued to lead us around the maze like side roads whilst simultaneously discussing a fitness custard business venture with Joe M, and Richard kept running out of leaflets.

In total, we delivered leaflets to 400 houses, but no surprise with such a hardworking group, and I think the most people we've had since before 2020!

Well done and see you all soon,

Laurie

It was a balmy 8 degrees on a Wednesday evening and we were raring to go! A group of us met at the gym and were meeting 3 bonus GoodGymers at the Springfield Baptist Church to leaflet for FoodCycle

We meandered our way down the streets, side streets, alleys and cul-de-sacs with leaflets in hand. FoodCycle offers a free meal, warm place, and good chat to anyone who needs it at the Church on a Thursday. They also are calling for volunteers too so it might be something we explore.

It was a nice leisurely chat while we did the task. Hopefully they get some new attendees and new volunteers from this. We do have more leaflets left too so no doubt will do this again some time.

Remember - we will be representin' GoodGym with our friends Parkrun this Saturday through a mass volunteer! Come join us for that, or just for breakfast afterwards!

Have a good week.

I'm sprinting in the rain, just sprintin' in the rain What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again I'm laughing at clouds so dark up above The sun's in my heart and I'm ready for love Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place Come on with the rain, I've a smile on my face I walk down Sprinfield Lane with a happy refrain...

Anyway! Tonight we welcomed back Sam and Richard who brought their enthusiasm to the task as we delivered almost 300 leaflets! The leaflets from Foodcycle were information for both volunteers and anyone who might need Foodcycle, who are more than a foodbank... https://foodcycle.org.uk/location/foodcycle-chelmsford/

On our return to base we managed some sprint intervals along the River path before heading home to dry off.

Great effort!

Six runners delivered leaflets for Foodcycle

We met at our regular haunt ready and raring to go. After no one volunteered to lead out and a photo opp where I was tricked by Andy into pretending to look glum, Jenny led us on our way. We headed over to Springfield to deliver some leaflets, stopping for traffic. When we got there we saw a tiny, tiny pug wrapped in a blanket who Charlie knew, adorable.

We started delivering the leaflets around, Foodcycle offer free meals and good company every Thursday at 5:30pm at Springfield Baptist Church. We sauntered along past some of our favourite authors, poets and artists - Ruskin, Chaucer, Shelly, Byron, Morris and Gainsborough. Richard described making some amazing sounding ice cream cocktails, definitely going to try that. We have now delivered almost all of the leaflets too!

It was delightful to finish a good deed and it still be light! Lovely. Hopefully some good weather is here to stay.