It was a sunny Saturday afternoon when three GoodGymers headed out to help Ms A reclaim her garden from a jungle of brambles and thorny bushes. What once might have been a peaceful patch of green had been completely taken over — the kind of garden where even the bravest secateurs would think twice before stepping in.

Armed with gloves, loppers, and plenty of determination, the trio got stuck in. With the sun shining and good chat flowing, we quickly found our rhythm — cutting, gathering, and tackling the trickiest tangles.

After just over two hours of steady snipping, sawing, and bundling, a whole third of the garden was cleared. The transformation was already visible, with space beginning to reappear where the brambles once ruled.

Though there’s still more to do, the garden now feels on its way back to being a space Ms A can enjoy again.

Volunteered at Hackney Night Shelter

Volunteered at Hackney Night Shelter

The morning air was crisp and carried a buzz of anticipation, the kind that hints at something special about to happen. For the second month in a row, the tally confirmed it: seventy-two young runners, a sea of bright faces and restless energy, had gathered, continuing our record-breaking streak and solidifying a new era of enthusiasm for our junior parkrun. At the heart of this weekly miracle was a mission perfectly aligned with our own: to galvanise a community, to turn fitness into fun, and to ensure every child felt seen and cheered.

The starter’s signal sent the flock on their way, a vibrant blur of determination. Leading the charge was our elite runner, JP, who powered through the course with a fierce grace, flying across the finish line just a heartbeat shy of her personal best—a sure sign of even greater triumphs to come. But the true victory was in the beautiful diversity of the field. For at least ten children, it was their very first time, their faces a mix of nerves and excitement that melted into pure, triumphant joy as they completed their 2k journey. For many more, it was a return to the fun, a testament to the joyful habit we are building together, proving that parkrun is, and always will be, for everyone.

None of this magic unfolds on its own. It is meticulously crafted by a team of hi-vis heroes, and this week, the Good Gym crew was the steady heartbeat of the event. Expertly leading the charge was Good Gymer Sooz, whose calm coordination and infectious enthusiasm set the tone for the morning. She led a dedicated team of Good Gym regulars—Hayder, Louise ****, Rue, and Sarah—whose presence formed the operational backbone of the run. They were more than just volunteers; they were the embodiment of our mission, combining their fitness with tangible community service. Their cheers at marshalling points became the soundtrack of encouragement, their diligent timekeeping ensured every effort was recognised, and their watchful eyes guaranteed a safe environment for all.

Their collective spirit was so powerful it created a ripple effect of community engagement, encouraging several parents to jump in and lend a hand, seamlessly joining the crew. The morning was so wonderfully busy, in fact, that we didn't have a spare moment to snap a single action shot—the ultimate sign of a fully engaged team! So, here is a picture of three of us squinting into the bright autumn sun after successfully sorting out all the finish tokens, a small, quiet moment after the glorious chaos.

In the end, we didn’t just manage a run; we fostered a space where personal achievement and community support intertwine, where every child’s run was celebrated, and where the simple act of showing up creates a healthier, happier neighbourhood for all.

Found the lovely Mrs S at the starting time, and wow there's a good amount of work to be done....

Mrs S has Jasmine, Lilac and some smashing Hydrangea but oh boy the rest of the garden has gone a bit wild.

Within 10 minutes it started to rain but for safety reasons I felt compelled to carry on... There is Bramble and slippery moss covering the hard surface and making the usual trip to the loo an accident in the making.

We have definitely made an impact and Mrs S is really pleased with our efforts.

Smashing.

Today there was a set of activities related to fitness and Zumba in Hoxton Garden and as I arrived I went to the compost area to sort compost, making some new batches and sieving the previous one . No other goodgymmers managed to join for this occasion but hopefully next time as we already pre-book this recurring event for the next 6 months .