The Baby Bank has put all clothes donations on hold while they process what they have and take stock of what they need. Some age ranges are overflowing whilst others are empty. The task for the 3 GoodGymers alongside other volunteers, was to speed-sort all the donations we had and to transfer them to the boxes so that Rebecca could create a list of what we need, and what we have plenty of.We were ruthless in our sorting, and by the end of the session had got through most of the backlog. Well done team!

Karen, Sheila K, Sheila A and Jane helped out at the Baby Bank on another busy morning. As we arrived, the facility was receiving a van-load of buggies which had been abandoned at the airport. Our task was to give them a clean and leave them to dry in the sun. We made short work of it and were rewarded with an indoor job, picking out new toys for 10 children to accompany their Christmas pyjama packs. Karen and Sheila K then earned massive numbers of Brownie points by between them making teas and coffees for the volunteers and doing the washing up afterwards. The remainder of the time was spent putting together clothes and toys for specific referrals. A very productive morning!

Karen, Laura and Sheila gathered at the Braywick Plant Nursery on what is the last scheduled Goodgym community mission here. The finances are not working out and this fantastic facility is planned to close at the end of the year unless a rescue plan can be devised. We worked alongside 3 young men from Talkback, who gain valuable experience and skills in Horticulture from their weekly visits. We were sorting and trimming the perennial plants being over-wintered, and by the end of the session we had gathered a dustbin full of trimmings including several acorns which had fallen into the pots whilst they had been outside. Goodgym has been supporting Braywick Plant Nurseries since April 2023, and 55 different GoodGymers have carried out 96 tasks. Let's hope that a rescue plan can be found.

Sheila K and Karen attended the Baby Bank today on the regular Friday slot. They helped unload some donations from cars and sort donations of Christmas gift bags containing new pyjamas, a book and a selection box which will be given out to needy children next month. Sheila helped take the bags of unwanted clothes down to a van for recycling before joining Karen doing the second checks of donated clothing.