Sunshine set the tone for our monthly visit to help with gardening at the Community Hospice.

Jason, the Head Gardener, greeted us with his usual sunny welcome, and asked us clear weeds and moss from the paved drive and pathway leading to the reception. This would make the approach to the Hospice look nicer for everyone.

Robert, arriving by bike, had had to dodge some brambles and plants encroaching on the drive: could he grab some loppers and tackle those instead? Jason's response was an enthusiastic “Yes please!”.

Collecting tools from the shed took us through the gardens which are looking amazing - bright flowers and fresh greenery glowing in the warm light.

It's fair to say this wasn't a glamorous task but it was wonderfully relaxing: scraping up the moss, teasing out the weeds, sweeping up, and chatting all the while. Topics ranged from the London Marathon (Kam is keen to run it if he can ever get a place, and Sarah and Johnny are volunteering at it tomorrow!) , to Jason's plans for the (666 Film Challenge)[https://independenthorrorsociety.com/the-666-film-challenge-2025-edition/] next month, and the orgins of our first names ( 'lady/princess', 'God is gracious', plentitude of religion', 'bright fame' and 'healer').

As always when you are busy and in good company, time flew by!

After putting the tools away Kam headed off and the rest of us went to enjoy a tasty lunch in the Hospice canteen.

We'll be back again next month, and Jason always has something different lined up. Come along and help make a difference for this wonderful charity.

What a lovely first session at Holy Redeemer Pre-School!

We were met with a warm welcome from Laura and Shelley, the school's managers, who lead us into their outdoor space which they have been working hard to spruce up in recent weeks.

They'd already given furniture in the mud kitchen a fresh coat of cream paint, and our job was to do the same for two wee benches and apply a protective layer of wood stain to the rather impressive play house.

We decided to start with the play house. First we needed to deal with the heavy-duty clear pvc blinds that formed the windows. Attempts to roll them up proved tricky but then we realised they could be unhooked along the top! Once they were off we were ready to get going with paint brushes. It was a really relaxing task in the evening light, and of course there was lots of chatting.

Meanwhile Laura and Shelley sanded and painted the wooden frame of a large freestanding plastic screen that the children use for drawing on.

With the house done -both outside and inside - Johnny re-hung the 'windows' while the rest of us turned our attention to the benches. A quick sanding and some brisk brush-work meant we got them finished in the nick of time.

So much achieved in just an hour. We're looking forward to coming back again, to continue the renovations.

There’s no denying that donation sorting is a serious business and when we help out at the Community Hospice warehouse we are careful to sift out the best items ready for the shop floor. But there's always room for a little fun along the way.

Today’s haul really packed a punch with a knockout collection of sports kit — gym gear, an England tracksuit top, a taekwondo top (yes, we learned it’s officially called a 'dobok'), and a bundle of boxing gloves🥊🥊.

🔔🔔Ding, ding, seconds away: cue Johnny and Ivar stepping into the ring for a dramatic slo-mo face-off for the camera. Of course, it was show and no blows... float like a butterfly, pose like a champion.

Meanwhile, Sarah snuggled into a cosy Mickey Mouse blanket hoodie, proving that donation sorting can have its soft side too.

And what about the scarves and neckwear galore that we unpacked? Too good to pass up another photo opportunity, we layered them on for a group shot depicting chic charity shop couture.

From ringside rivalries to fashion statements, it’s safe to say we covered lots of angles today. Plenty of donated bags emptied and sorted in to men's, womens, kids, shoes & bags, linen & homewear, accessories, prom dresses, Christmas garments, and items that, sadly, didn't hit the mark for resale.

The time flew by and at the final bell we headed home, happy that we'd rescued lots of clothes from landfill and set them on the journey for a new life ♻️.

Thank you to James and Andrew in the warehouse team for having us. We'll be back again tomorrow, when Caroline, Simon and will Lisa taking over where we left off.

It feels like a long time since we've helped out at a junior parkrun in the sunshine, but this morning the sun had got its hat on, and there was a real buzz at Eltham Park South as 122 children and their grown-ups gathered ready for the off.

High fives hands at the ready we took up our marshalling positions and cheered everyone round the two laps.

So many smiles, such good vibes, and a beautiful corridor of blossom as we headed out of the park towards our second good deed of the day, at the Community Hospice warehouse.

We had a lovely sunny time with Bexley Bike Club this morning, helping out at their free BMX session for local children.

We signed in participants, laid out cones and obstacles, spotted for accidents on the pump track, and took photos for the Club's social media feeds.

The kids were brilliant, some total beginners and others totally confident, but all loving it.

Kam couldn't resist the opportunity to get on a bike for a couple of laps. Very impressive!

We'll be back again next month... come along to support this fantastic community initiative (and give BMX a go if you want to!).