With no task lined up for the evening, we instead headed out for a social 5k jog around the Olympic Park. What a place to stretch the legs – we're always grateful to have such an inspiring backdrop on our doorstep.

A big welcome to Rue, top Tower Hamlets GoodGymmer and legend of London Fields junior parkrun. GoodGymmers help out at this event pretty much every Sunday, and if you’re lucky enough to be there when Rue is RD, it’s worth it just to witness his Hackney Haka – a life-affirming experience and a warm-up routine.

Also great to see Rosie back again. This usually happens when she’s training for something big… and it’s no different this time – the London Landmarks Half!

It was a pretty simple evening really, much like many of our Tuesday evening gatherings that usually follow the classic “little jog out, help a bit, little jog back” format. But of course it adds up to much more than that – building connections with our community and with each other until the collective becomes something genuinely important to us.

Which made it especially lovely to hear that top Newham GoodGymmers and all-round wonderful humans Rosa and Graham got engaged last week. Their numerous tasks together chronicled through our run reports, what a joy it’s been to watch their story unfold. Their relationship has been forged through weeding, digging, mulch-moving, sanding, painting, furniture shifting, donations sorting, vaccine centre operations, parkrunning, marathon running, and much, much more. A true GoodGym love story. We love you both!

Just a thought – could you set the wedding up as a community mission? Would help us fill a Saturday slot.

Sign up next week for more of the same - well, maybe not another engagement announcement, but a run, a good deed and a celebratory drink if you missed it this week!

It was a festive-feeling evening as we jogged over to Plaistow Primary, where Rosie – deputy head and top Newham GoodGymmer – had a stack of books waiting for us to turn into presents.

On the run over we caught up with Eugene, back from Morocco and full of stories (and presumably tagine). Once inside, we settled into a rhythm of fold–tape–repeat, with plenty of interesting chat including a deep dive into unusual world champions. My favourite has to be Rock–Paper–Scissors world champion who, unbelievably, was prevented from defending their title due to an arm injury. The cruel fate of niche elite sport.

We wrapped a solid pile of books before our scheduled finishing time, but we were pleased to hear that the dinner ladies would be finishing the rest later in the week. Apparently they are clinically efficient in their execution of these sorts of tasks, so the presents are in very safe hands.

One last task for 2025 is lined up for next week at Hackney Marshes Adventure Playground, and then we’re onto lining up a whole load of sessions for January. Perfect timing to catch everyone with fresh New Year’s resolutions to get fit, do good, and support their local community.

Good wrapping, good running, good company. GoodGym. 🎁🏃‍♂️✨

A visit to Emmanuel church for the team on Tuesday.

We started on the preparation for 2 new flower beds in the church ground.

They have a grassed area between some of the tress and the church members decided they need more flowers,which would help the pollinators.

Grass was removed and taken to the compost pile,the ground was a little dry but Adam made light work of loosing it up,a great way to celebrate his 25th good deed

Two new beds are now ready for the bulbs to be planted.

We look forward to seeing them bloom next year.

And again the ladies did us a wonderful post task feast......I didn't get a photo of the chicken...which disappeared very quickly

We are off to St Marys Allotment next week for some fence dismantling....Head torches are a must

A very delayed report due to technical issues.......computer said no and then on a tech free holiday

Another wonderful visit to see Ang at Hackney Marsh Adventure Playground and a classic GG task for the night.

A very large pile of mulch to be shifted.

Lots of shoveling,walking and spreading and we had the area under the zip line full of mulch ready for the children the following morning. We even had time to put a good layer under the large swing area.

We will return to see Ang again in October.