It's not often that GoodGym is asked to go out and look for fairies, but there's a first for everything!

Discover Welling had invited us to test their augmented virtual reality trails, created using a new app called Love Exploring.

As an 'anytime task' GoodGymers could do it as and when they wanted, before the deadline.

Kam was the first to give it a go, finding a few virtual reality tree fairies 🧚‍♀️, then giving feedback to Discover Welling via an online form.

The rest of us decided to meet up and try the trails together. Between us we found not only VR tree fairies, but various VR bugs too, including a giant - and rather scary - ladybird 🐞.

We loved the concept but the Love Exploring app had quite a few bugs of its own that need to be ironed out so that Discover Welling's creativity can shine though.

Today was a fantastic session where thirteen GoodGymers from GG Bexley, GG Greenwich and GG Ealing came together to make a real difference at Crossness Pumping Station, built in the 1800s as part of London's first sewage system.

It was lovely to have Dinali and Ian with us for their first GG task, and celebrate Mo's 10th good deed.

We were met by Tom, the museum's Volunteering Manager who, after a warm welcome, split us into two groups.

'Team Ballast' worked with regular volunteer Rob and others on the narrow gauge railway. We dug out a shallow trench under the lifted tracks, and shoveled in ballast stones to help restore the line ready for re-opening to the public.

Rob said that it would have taken one person a whole day to complete what we achieved in just one hour 💥.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the site in the Victorian Formal Garden, 'Team Lavendar' was busy cutting back lavender. It smelled lovely! The cuttings will be used to make bars of soaps, which will be sold in the shop.

For both teams it was amazing to see how much we could accomplish by working together.

After tea and biscuits in the Ness Cafe, we had a brief look at the historical display of toilets in the museum - including one of the first flushing models by Thomas Crapper.

Then we put on hard hats and safety glasses, for Tom's tour of the incredible engine hall, giving the opportunity to learn more about the history and engineering behind this fascinating place.

We certainly put all our senses to work, including experiencing some of the distinctive smells associated with the historic pumping station and its original purpose 💩!

Overall, it was a brilliant opportunity to contribute to the local area, learn about its history and engineering, and make a positive impact through volunteering, and show that when we come together and work as a team, we can achieve so much more than we could alone.

We hope to help out at the museum more regularly from now, on so watch thus space if you'd like to join us!

Three of us were at Eltham junior parkrun this morning, each taking on a different volunteer role!

Peter was keeping time, Johnny was out on the course marshalling — complete with his big red foam hands for plenty of high fives for the runners — and Sarah was on barcode scanning duty.

Along with the other volunteers, a great team effort helping make junior parkrun happen! 👏🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Howdy partner!

Cowboy hats were optional as we saddled up and went out and about yesterday evening to spread the word about the Hospice Hoedown 🤠.

Hot-footing it around the streets, we posted nearly 500 leaflets through letterboxes in Bexley, close to where the big event is happening next month.

Lots of steps, lots of fun. Let's hope it leads to lots of bookings!

Yee-haw!