Six chips off the old Goodgym block (Charlotte, Kat, Kathryn, Matt, Nerys and Sarah) braved the weather to lay some woodchip path in the churchyard at Saint Mary's, Walthamstow. Despite all six being headtorchless, the team energy was strong and the spirits were high as we shovelled and moved barrowloads of woodchip on a cold, dark, soggy night! Many hands definitely made swift work and the job was done in no time at all. Very well done to all who turned out on such a wild and woolly evening, and a particularly big Goodgym welcome to Kathryn, who joined us for the first time!

Five frolicking Goodgymmers made it to the Rukhsana Khan Foundation this morning to work off some of the festive excesses by organising and packing groceries for 115 households in our local community. As always, there was much lifting and carrying, fetching and packing, along with some lovely chat, lots of smiles and just the right amount of merriment to keep spirits up while everyone worked hard. RKF continues to do a phenomenal job ensuring that people in our community who need a bit of help don’t go without. A morning with the incredible team there always does wonders for mind, body and soul, and makes us count our blessings, not only for everything we have, but also for the fantastic people we’re surrounded by, here in Walthstamstow. An excellent task, of course, and, as ever, quite the workout! Very well done to all who came to help, drawing this year – dominated by headlines recounting division, disparity and disconnection – to a close in a spirit of determination, togetherness and community, proving (if proof were needed) that we are, of course, stronger and better together. What could be more perfect? May 2023 bring you all health, happiness, love and laughter!

Five jolly Goodgym-ers (Katrina, Rachel, Rowena, Sarah and Tony) braved the cold temperatures and hit the streets of Walthamstow to deliver community news magazines for William Morris Big Local, a fabulous, resident-led community initiative that supports, runs and funds projects in the William Morris ward to make a positive difference to the area and its people.

We pounded the pavements for an hour or so, going door to door until our fingers went numb, and we covered some good ground. We all gained a bit of extra respect for our local posties, and the community news looked so interesting that we each took a copy home for a bit of bedtime reading!

Special kudos and a huge welcome go to the amazing Rachel, who moved to London a mere FOUR days ago and joined Goodgym immediately as a way to get to know people in her new community. That’s the spirit, Rachel! We sincerely hope that tonight’s chilly mission didn’t put you off, and that we’ll see you again very soon!

Well done to everyone who joined – together we made light work of our task. This was our last Wednesday group run of the year, so Merry Christmas all, and let’s hope 2023 brings some more brilliant missions our way!

Three happy Waltham Forest Goodgymmers returned to the Walthamstow Toy Library to wrap some more presents for Father Christmas, whose arrival is imminent! Festive tunes were hummed as wrapping paper rustled, and once again, many hands made light work. Our work is done, and everything is now ready for Santa, who will be making an appearance next weekend to get the youngsters of E17 into the festive spirit. Good work, Goodgym Elves!