Old Spike Roastery was a welcomed sight for everyone on this cold night. Sam welcomed in Daryl, Gemma, Isaac, Lindy, Maria, Nelly (who reach her target tonight, hooray!), and Tim. We even had Andy come back for his second group run in a row and Alex came back too! But more importantly, we celebrated Emma's major milestone of reaching 100 good deeds! She earnt her wings!

Sam did his customary GG intro speech and highlighted that we are close to the end of the year. Noticing that it was a cold night, Sam did a more active warm-up to ensure everyone's core was warm. After the warm-up, everyone gave their answer to tonight's ice-breaker question.

Since it was French Toast Day on Tuesday, Sam's ice-breaker question for tonight was: What is your favourite topping on a French Toast?

A few people couldn't remember the last time they had a French toast, whilst the majority had a sweet tooth with sugar, lemon, cinnamon, maple syrup, fruit compote, bananas and berries. Some went for cheeses and hams...

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A petition to bring back gooseberries...

Off we went through the backstreets of Peckham as Sam lead the way whilst Daryl backmarked as we ran up Grove Hill and down towards Camberwell and eventually to the back roads where Salvation Army Camberwell Corps is. Valentina let us in as Alex, Mikhail and Olive had just arrived to met us there at the task. Then Phil arrived slightly afterwards.

Like we have done many times before, we were here to clean and disinfect the children's and baby toys that is used at this nursery as many kids use them daily and germs do spread, especially during the winter months. Yet, tonight, Valentina wanted us to clean the blue mats on both sides and loads of chairs too. Since we were a big group, we managed to clean, dry and put back all the toys and equipment within the 45 minutes that we were there. To lift the spirits and keep the mood festive, Sam put on his Spotify Christmas playlist (but no Coldplay please...).

By the end of the session, Sam asked those who hadn't answered the ice-breaker question to give their answer. Everyone seems to have a sweet tooth, but we got into the topic of bringing back gooseberries as they are very much an underrated berry. We will look out for Isaac's petition soon.

After our group photo, we said our goodbyes and ran a more pace-y pace to get back to Old Spike for a lovely stretch before a few of us decided to go to The Gowlett Arms for a pint.

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Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out tonight! Firstly, we welcomed back Alex and Andy. I feel it's harder the second time as you know what to expect - hahaha! It ended up being a 3k run each way, so I don't know where I got 3.5k each way.... The task was done in an efficient matter, so thank you for arranging yourselves in small teams. Finally, thank you to Daryl for backmarking the run and to Mikhail for taking the photos!

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Thank You to Valentina

GoodGym is all about getting fit and doing good! We praise the runners/cyclists/walkers who come to get fit and help out, but we often forget about our task owner. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Valentina for preparing all the tools for the task in advance! We will be back in the new year (on Valentine's Day) to paint the hallway walls!

With the day off, Sam arrived nice and early to open up Old Spike as he welcomed in Andrada, Daryl, Elena, Gemma, Isaac, Katy, Maria, Nathan, Nelly, Olive (who reached her target for the year tonight), Phil and Tim! We even had newbie, Andy join us. Welcome Andy!

As we all gathered at Old Spike, Sam did his longer speech for Andy as he talked about the ways he can get involved with GoodGym further. After a few weeks of skipping the warm-up, Sam decided to do it tonight as the run to the task wasn't far. After the warm-up, everyone gave their answer to tonight's ice-breaker question.

Since it was International Men's Day over the weekend, Sam's ice-breaker question for tonight was: The theme of this year's International Men's Day is "Take action and stay healthy", can you give one practical tip for Men or male identify to stay mentally healthy? Secondly, who has been a big influential person in your life that is male/male-identifying?

For big influences, we had people's other halves, Dads, brothers, friends and even primary/secondary teachers made the list. In terms of tips, we had going out for a walk to clear your headspace, but the common theme was to be encouraged to talk about your feelings.

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Finding salvation in cleaning

As we left Old Spike, Sam lead the way whilst Olive backmarked as we ran towards Peckham Rye Park and looped back at the cafe towards Nunhead. We did meet tens of runners running with Peckham Pacers. Yet, we got to Salvation Army on Nunhead Green just in time to meet Tiziana, Emma and Vic who met us there at the task.

With such a large group, Tiziana had to split us into two. One smaller group consisting of Daryl, Emma, Gemma, Nathan, Nelly and Olive were given the cleaning task. They took brooms, hoovers and cleaning cloths as they cleaned the charity shop/cafe's toilets, hallway, stairs and offices. Phil and Vic joined them in sweeping the charity shop as there were a few dusty corners. The rest of the team were upstairs in the library/bookshop space to sort out books in terms of their categories: Biography, Children's, Fiction and Thriller/Action.

The 40 minute session zoomed by and we managed to finish the cleaning, but there were still plenty of books to sort out. We will be back in three weeks' time to finish this task off and give the space another spruce up.

After our group photo, we said our goodbyes and ran literally 600 metres to get back to Old Spike for a lovely stretch before a few of us decided to go to the Old Nag's Head for a Guinness or two.

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Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out tonight! Firstly, we welcomed Alex for his first GoodGym session. It was a nice short dry run both ways. The task was manageable given the size of volunteers we had. Thanks to Olive for backmarking and ensuring no-one gets left behind. We will be back in 3 weeks!

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Thank You to Tiziana

GoodGym is all about getting fit and doing good! We praise the runners/cyclists/walkers who come to get fit and help out, but we often forget about our task owner. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tiziana for preparing all the equipment and tasks for us to do in advance! We're back in three weeks' time to finish what we started with the books!

Pinch, punch, first of the month, Sam waited for everyone at Old Spike as we had a special celebration tonight, which he announced during his GG speech. Nope, it wasn't the fact we have our monthly social tonight (as it's the first Wednesday of the month), but Maria reached her 50th good deed within 52 days! Almost one a day! Congrats! 🎉

Since it was the 1st of November, Sam's ice-breaker question for tonight was about today: On All Souls Day, please if you would like share a cherish memory of someone you lost? or Tell us your best vegan dish on World Vegan Day?

For World Vegan Day, Mikhail said sweet potato and spinach curry, which was similar to Andrada saying butternut curry. Louise said Mapo tofu with vegan mince and Gemma told us about a lentil style lasagna dish whilst Sam craved Gregg's vegan sausage rolls.

For All Souls Day, Nelly remembered her Dad who sadly passed away earlier this year. David told us about his friend who passed away a few years ago on this day, Emma remembered her best friend, Bo, her beloved dog. Maria told us about her grandmother whom she lost seven years ago and doubled up her ice-breaker with the fact her grandmother would make veggie or vegan alternatives when her family were big meat eaters....yet then lecture her on her low iron levels.

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50 Good Deeds (Maria's Version)

After our warm-up in the alleyway, Sam lead the way whilst Mikhail backmarked as we ran through the backstreets of East Dulwich, up Crystal Palace Road and Lordship Lane to get to the side of Dulwich Park to finally reach Ian and Emma, who met us there. Whilst Andrada walked over to the task, but ran back with us.

Ian had a wheelbarrow full of shears, loppers, rakes and leaf pickers. The task was simple: clear the pedestrian path going along the South Circular of anything protruding through the fence. So, in barber language, short back and sides. Everyone took a tool of choice as we split the group in half quite evenly. Mikhail was our photographer for the night and ensuring he captured the task at hand.

Working our way from two ends of the rugby club along the South Circular by the end of the session, both groups met in the middle fueled by Taylor Swift's version of the 1989 album playing on Sam's speakers.

As the clock hit 20:00, we just about finished the task and Ian kindly gave out a sweet treat before we ran back to Old Spike via Dawson's Hill to take in the night sky of London. Laura backmarked this leg of the run. Everyone was up for our monthly social and another chance to celebrate Maria's 50 good deeds at Jazu bar in Peckham!

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Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out tonight! Unlike people thought, it was just over a 3k run each way (and not closer to 4k...). Thank you for working as a team to complete the task in the time as we worked from two ends to meet the middle (more or less). Thank you for coming out for the monthly social at Jazu bar too, it was great to catch up with you all!

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Thank You to Ian

GoodGym is all about getting fit and doing good! We praise the runners/cyclists/walkers who come to get fit and help out, but we often forget about our task owner. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ian for preparing all the tools for us in advance and giving us an achievable task as well as the delicious treats at the end of the session - always appreciated! We have two more sessions this year, both on Sunday mornings, so we will see you then!

Halloween might be just around the corner, but our group runs land on wicked Wednesdays, but especially this Wednesday Sam was preparing to howl his GG speech to those who would listen...

As the clocks stuck 18:45, there was an eerie silence from those who came to Old Spike for the group run as Sam updated everyone with what's going on in GG Southwark.

Sam's ice-breaker question for tonight was Halloween themed: What is your scariest nightmare / character?

Many of us instantly thought of Freddy Krueger, but we had Annabelle/Chucky (creepy dolls), the girl / victims in The Ring, the creepy person in Luther, dogs, snakes and even Richard pitched in with his son getting hurt.

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Fang-tastic time

After our quick warm-up in the alleyway, Sam lead the way whilst Maria backmarked as we ran through the backstreets of Peckham, up Grove Hill and down it on the other side to arrive in Camberwell. A last 500 meter sprint to get to the Salvation Army Camberwell Corps.

We met Richard and those GoodGymers that said they would meet us at the task: Folarin, Isaac, Mikhail and Vic.

We were here to clean and disinfect children toys for their nursery. These toys get used four times a day, so a clean from time to time is very much needed. Yet, Richard also needed 1-2 people to sweep the leaves outside, so with a headtorch, Folarin did this quickly.

The rest of the team grabbed the toys from the cupboard and put them on the prepared foldable tables. With warm water and a sponge, everyone proceeded to disinfect and clean toys whilst listening to Sam's Halloween playlist. Mikhail was our photographer for the night and ensure he got a photo of everyone getting involved with the task.

Those who had been here several times knew the setup and so an orderly system was in place with Isaac and Lindy putting on a spook-ta-cular performance in putting back the toys in the cupboard...as there is an art to it.

As 20:00 hit and with everything done, Sam called it a night as we had to dash off back to Old Spike before the vampires come out. Going via the slightly longer, but more direct route with Maria backmarking, we made it back in time for a stretch and a cool down.

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Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out tonight! That hill is always tough to run up, but I felt like we didn't struggle as much this time. Thanks for working as a team to complete the task in less than 45 minutes. Many hands do make light work and hopefully, it was enjoyable too!

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Thank You to Richard

GoodGym is all about getting fit and doing good! We praise the runners/cyclists/walkers who come to get fit and help out, but we often forget about our task owner. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Richard for staying later to open up the centre and prepare the tables, sponges and warm water for us to clean and disinfect the toys. We will be back on the 29th of November for more plus any extra bits and bobs that need doing.

It was amazing to see not only Andrada coming back for her second good deed, but to have 21 sign ups! In the end, 20 came, but still this was incredible for GoodGym and reminiscent of the days before the pandemic hit!

We all gathered in the warmth of Old Spike as Sam delivered his GG intro speech and acknowledging that Maria hit and has exceeded her yearly target of 25 good deeds within 3 weeks of joining! There will be a gift at Xmas social.

They proceed to do their warm-up on the Green as this week, Sam had to be filmed by Paulin, so that he could complete his Run Leader training. A two minute clip showing a decent warm-up.

After the warm-up on the Green, Sam's ice-breaker for tonight was a two-parter: Tomorrow, is International Teacher Day, so who is your favourite teacher and what did they teach you? or the second question was: On Friday is World Smile Day, so what made you smile today?

With 15 people present on the Green, it's hard to remember and put all their answers on here, but we acknowledged, smiled and thanked Clare and Mikhail as they are teachers / teaching assistants.

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Fire fighting

We split our ways on the Green, with those going to Elmington Gardens followed Sam leading the 3k run whilst Mikhail was backmarking. Lindy and Maria took Andrada, Clare, David, John and Nelly on a shorter 1.5k run to Salvation Army in Nunhead.

An incline run from Peckham up Grove Vale to the other side of Camberwell took the team just over 15 minutes as they arrived at Elmington Community Garden to meet Zulieka and her girls as well as Tam and Jessie, who cycled and ran over to the task, respectively. The task was to weed the herbs bed, but we also had a team consisting of Clare, Isaac and Paulin moving mulch from the Wildlife Triangle to the site where the rest were weeding. Mikhail was our photographer for the night as he captured the moments.

Meanwhile at the Salvation Army Nunhead, after running 1.5k with Lindy leading the way and Maria backmarking to ensure no one is left behind, they met Anna, Emma and Steve outside the shop entrance. Polis and Tiziana kindly let them in and they were shown into the new storage room. The task at hand was to move boxes from upstairs in the old storage downstairs. To achieve maximum efficiency, the team created a people chain and they each had their own little section. They moved mostly household items, shoes and children's toys. After this, they had the time to roam the library/book store section to get a book or two as a token of helping out.

The teams in their respective locations called it at 20:00 to head back to Old Spike as it was the first Wednesday of the month, so the team had a social to attend.

Those who stayed for the social went to Market Place in Peckham to check out the establishment. However, only one food stall was still open at 20:30. We all had a drink from the bar and a few of us nibbled on Mexican food!

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Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out tonight! Firstly, a massive thank you to my taskforce team for helping out with a variety of tasks from co-leading the second task to backmarking and from taking photos to being walk leaders too. Thank you to the rest of you for coming along for what is our biggest group run to date since I took over as AA in September 2021 - thank you!

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Thank You to Polis, Tiziana and Zuleika

GoodGym is all about getting fit and doing good! We praise the runners/cyclists/walkers who come to get fit and help out, but we often forget about our task owner. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Polis and Tiziana for bringing their task a week earlier, so we could accommodate for the large group. We will be back at the Salvation Army in Nunhead on the 22nd of November and again, on the 13th of December. As for Zuleika, thank you for having us and showing what we needed to do as we moved almost all the mulch over and weeded the communal garden. We are always up for doing sessions on the weekends to help out with any weeding but for Wednesday evenings, we're full until the new year, so we'll be back in 2024!