On a summer’s Monday evening, seven GoodGymers headed to Traid in Dalston to assist with preparation for their summer sale.

Splitting up across shop floor and stock, the team tackled cages of donations by hanging them up on rails to be sorted while the upstairs crew neatly reorganised garments into colour order.

We had a great time helping Traid out and catching up with each other. A special welcome to newcomers John and a welcome back to Richard after a number of years!

We’ll be back at Traid over the coming weeks so keep your eyes peeled for more.

Four jolly Goodgymmers made their way to our monthly task at Walthamstow Toy Library this evening, to help Helen with cleaning some returned toys and sorting and organising some lovely donations of games and craft supplies. Many hands made light work, and the tasks were easily completed. Helen was delighted to have some helpers on board, as always, and we were very happy to welcome Kate to her first Goodgym task! Well done to all who came along – it’s always a joy to be able to contribute to such a brilliant project in our local community. The Toy Library continues, as always, to do excellent work, bringing educational, creative and play opportunities to families in need in Waltham Forest. We’ll all be taking a break over August, but watch this space for our next Toy Library task in September, which will probably involve a bit of late summer gardening – everyone’s welcome; the more the merrier!

A small but productive session with Ruby showing up and staying for two hours helping sort out all the donations with the shop's other volunteers and staff. It's a shame that another sign up didn't show up.

Well done Ruby!

no photos from the session so using a poster!

Is this a bit tardy in its publication? YES. Would Raymond ordinarily have already sent me a reminder and a gentle ribbing? TOO RIGHT.

So many of us came together last Saturday morning at Walthamstow Parkrun for a GoodGym takeover, to celebrate and remember Raymond/Ramon/Ray as he was variously known, who we lost so sadly and suddenly just before Christmas, on 18th December.

There was a huge turnout, despite the freezing 🥶 weather, reflective of how much he was loved, with close family and friends from all areas of his life coming together. Ably run-directed by the lovely Louise, and I have no doubt that Raymond would have loved seeing his son start the runners off, which he did with aplomb.

And SO many Goodgymers! Thank-you Ruby for organising, and Saj, and many more. A full complement of GG marshals, time keepers, barcode scanners. Not just from GG Waltham Forest, oh no. You see, not only was Ramon an active member of GGWF (let’s be honest, Raymond WAS GGWF!), he did so many GG tasks for other branches too. Particularly solo missions for isolated people in all of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Hackney, Harringey, Tower Hamlets, Islington, and probably more. He wasn’t flashy, he just got on with it, including what he was able to do during COVID. Like it says on his GG Page “Just me…No Dramas”.

He was a friend to many, enormously perceptive and kind, being quietly or completely not quietly (😊) supportive when required! He had a wicked sense of fun, and he never turned down a challenge to construct the most outlandish random outfits while rummaging through and organising charity donations 🦸🏾‍♂️.

Thanks to GG Ivofor coming (always a pleasure), Latoyafrom @GoodGymHaringey , and so many others who were lucky enough to have known Ramon, and had the opportunity to “do good” alongside him.

It was truly wonderful meeting some special people in Ramon’s life, and having a good chin wag while being the Tail Walker and sharing memories of him.

It wouldn’t have been Walthamstow Parkrun without some cake 🍰 at the end, and then off to the local greasy spoon, as I am sure Ramon would agree, was only right and proper.

Farewell lovely Raymond. Please consider making a donation in his name to one of the 3 excellent charities on the flyer. Thank-you.

After a shake start (GoodGymmers arrived earlier than the organisers!), roles were assigned and then the wait began for the walkers to arrive at the halfway point where the three of us made encouraging sounds, waved pompom and directed the walkers onwards. Everyone was in good spirits (despite a few getting lost...) and really pleased to be part of a fundraiser that raised over £30,000. Note for next time: take mosquito spray! The forest is alive!!