Eight GGers kept calm and braved the stormy weather in order to finish off providing a coat of paint to the INS hall way and stairs ahead of their Xmas celebrations.

Adam led Lucy, Africa and Jade on a rather chilly evening warm up and jog through the glorious Christmas lights of Twickenham, while others such as Ken, Suze, Chris and JP found their own way. Once arrived we were ready to roll and were kitted out by task owner Sarah with rollers and paintbrushes and we set about making a splash!

We were on a roll and just like that it was job done! Chris led the way with the washing up team and it was soon time to ease down.

Four GGers rolled into the weekend by giving INS’s walls and ceilings a much needed coat of paint.

Chris, JP and Adam welcomed Evelyn back for her second good gym task. We were then given direction by task owner Sarah areas that needed painting in the kitchen and hallway ahead of INS’s upcoming festive celebrations.

Overall Evelyn proved very good at rolling with it, JP managed to successfully white out all the worries of the fire exit sign, meanwhile Adam was able to lay it on thick as usual and Chris provided some much needed brush ups.

We will return on Monday to finish the job!

The downpour of rain didn’t stop GG this evening at the INS session. To avoid the rain we first did a few indoor tasks. We strategically moved a desk upstairs and helped to rearrange the main office. We then decided to take our chances with the rain and with quick raking and sweeping, we managed to clear up parts of the garden. As some of us tried to seek shelter under some trees, there was no escaping, but we managed to clear the pavement of weeds and shovelled some soil into the flowerbeds. As we were ready to leave, the rain stopped! It was a successful session and even though we were wet, we were very satisfied of our achievement this evening.

A big welcome to Rebecca for the first time at GoodGym, as well as seeing Luis for the first time in a while. The venue this evening was INS in Twickenham and manager Sarah put us all straight to work moving large furniture around in the summer house to prepare for better weather, including a very unwieldy set of lockers that needed to be brought down from upstairs. Team work really does make the dream work and in no time at all everything was in its new home!

This evening we welcomed Daisy for the first time as well as Honor returning for the second time as well set off from Richmond town centre to INS in Twickenham. A round run trip of nearly 9km, the run gave plenty of time to chat as we ran down Richmond high street, across th bridge and made our way to Twickenham, collecting Monika and Honor on the way.

Arriving at INS, task owner Sarah showed us a storage cabinet that needed to be emptied and moved from room one (with a very small doorway) to room two while a desk needed to move from room three to room one, a chair needed to move from room two to room one and another desk needed to move from room four to room two!

It all called for a lot of pivots, some good upper body strength and some sensible manoeuvring. But many hands do indeed make light work and we were done ahead of schedule, ready for the run home!

The January challenge continues as we head off into cold nights with warm hearts to do good in the borough of Richmond upon Thames.

Tonight we ran a bit further than normal to cover just over 4km to Twickenham where INS (Integrated Neurological Services) is based. A chatty run through Richmond High Street and Twickenham up to Richmond Green before turning towards Hampton to the task location.

Lovely task owner Sarah had prepared well for us with everything laid out ready to go to paint the radiators in the loos and one in the gym! Sanding, cleaning and painting saw a fast transformation for four radiators before the team regrouped for the run back to Richmond!

Today may have been Blue Monday, but we painted it red tonight! ♥️