A fancy dress run for our last group run of the year as we ran 2 miles over to the Gateway Church to help wrap presents for their Christmas toy appeal. The run leader decided to turn up as a present himself and Emily donned a Santa top (+ crazy leggings still of course) whilst most sensible people opted just for a hat given the wind and rain. Mike’s ear muffs were the best idea.

A cold-rainy welcome to our new runner Chris who has been signed up for ages but can’t normally make Tuesdays. It was good to meet you and here is hoping you can sneak out the odd Tuesday or join us for some Missions and Community Missions in future (like when we go back to Darkroom Espresso).

Shout out to the dry-club: Lynette, Stuart and Tracy who couldn’t run but did meet us there for the task. Smiling and looking warm, Lynette was already wrapping and stayed later so a special well done to her.

Our brief was to find appropriate toys for a family from the tables and wrap them. These toys are for children of families in need, nominated by social workers, churches and support agencies across Swindon. Each child got two main presents, a book and a cuddly toy. Some really great toys available, the number and quality of donations to the church were incredible, and this was just what was left after they already held a drop-in event.

Emily’s wrapping experience from the Prospect Hospice mission earlier this month was clear and she led a group effort with Sam and Kirsty. Tracey’s experience would have also been appreciated, had she got off the train at Swindon Station (oops!). Did you want to go do Bristol GG Tracey?

Then there were the lone wolves like Paul, Richard, Mike and Chris who tried to take on a whole family each. I think Chris had like a family of 6 which was 24 presents to wrap himself. That’s the sort of newbie ambition we like to see!

I think we learnt that teamwork was the more productive way to go.

Eye Spy A Mince Pie – Yes Please. Nice little break taken.

I’m sure mulled wine was mentioned at one point but we didn’t have time to slack off and wander in to the carol service, although it did look great. We spotted a couple of familiar faces from City of Sanctuary, letting them know we will be back to see them at Darkroom Espresso in January.

We slightly over-ran the task but we needed to complete the families. Checking we were all PRESENT and correct we headed off the 2 miles back to Oasis for a rare group coffee, not leaving Richard on his own for a change.

To use the classic pun:

That’s a wrap for our 2018 group runs.

A huuuuuuuuuuuuge well done to everyone who has joined us this year. We have had some good laughs along the way and since our summer launch we became:

"Weeder, Painter and Church yard curator

Horticultrural planter and Game playing banter

Wild seed disperser and Cleaner of traverser

Good at bicycle repair and Fixer of wheelchair

Leaflet dropper, Litter stopper, Wrapping for shopper

Sorting foods and lifting moods

..but we never did build that shed"

See you on Tuesday 8th January 2019; in the meantime have a very Happy Christmas and New Year!