Caroline Helder

GoodGym Merton

MertonCommunity mission
Jon Green
Jade

Levelling up

Wednesday 18th February

Written by Jade

The early bird (Jon) had already cleared the beds and was working on the vacuuming with Henry when I arrived (on time). So with the floors being handled, the focus was on the chair shifting which was a massive game of Tetris, moving and rearranging the hall until the space was officially reset.

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MertonCommunity mission
Jon Green
Jade

A window with coffee

Wednesday 18th February

Written by Jade

With extra hands this morning, the Open Table setup was finished in record time so one of the team found extra jobs and headed outside to clean the windows. There was even time for coffee.

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MertonCommunity mission
Jade
Marina Reeves

The great cutlery correction

Tuesday 17th February

Written by Jade

Welcome to newbie Marina who was already getting stuck into setting up when I arrived at Martin Way Methodist church tonight. After making the beds we headed into the kitchen/eating area to help finish off laying up the tables.

It seems everyone had been using the wrong cutlery (since last year!), so tonight there was a formal intervention and the rights knives, forks and spoons made their way out for dinner. Who knew!

Congratulations to Marins on completing your first GoodGym session. it was great to meet you and hopefully see you again soon.

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MertonCommunity mission
Jade
Zahrah Ahmed

Stuff it and we are done

Tuesday 17th February

Written by Jade

We hit the Little ARK Sew-cial to help wrap things up. First, we got stuck stuffing draft excluders helping attendees (including Zahrah who had arrived earlier to learn how to sew!) finish off their projects and clear away the mountain of fabric scraps.

Once the machines stopped, the speed-cleaning started. We cleared tables and swept the floor in record time, proving that thread is no match for a broom. The space was transformed from a textile explosion back to a tidy hall in a flash.

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MertonCommunity mission
Zahrah Ahmed
John Ballard
Felicidade
Jon Green
Alex
Jade

Kitchen AND halls, not impossible

Monday 16th February

Written by Jade

Tonight, we took on a fresh challenge at a new location: Morden Park Baptist Church. We dived straight into the kitchen, emptying cupboards and scrubbing every inch. Our efficiency was so high that we even had time to tackle both halls, clearing away the cobwebs and giving every surface a thorough clean.

Seeing three spaces completely transformed in under an hour is incredibly rewarding - especially since we were down a few regulars and a small group.

A huge well done to the team and a massive welcome to Zahrah on her very first session. We hope to see you back for another mission very soon.

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MertonCommunity mission
Jade
Rachael Green

Soggy Joggy Sunday

Sunday 15th February

Written by Jade

Fantastically early on the coldest, wettest Sunday morning this year, two intrepid GoodGymers ventured into Central London to help at the Cancer Research Winter Run.

Armed only with megaphones the 26,000 runners braving the cold and driving rain for the 10k race were marshalled, cajoled and their spirits lifted on their way to the start line by the volunteers.

Getting eleven waves of runners safely on their way took over two hours, but the task wasn't quite finished. With the fastest runners now finishing it was time to man the placards to direct people to the after party in Trafalgar Square.

The run raises around £1million for Cancer Research and couldn't be held without the support of the volunteers, whether they are dressed as snowmen to mark the start of a wave, dancing penguins to keep morale high or dishing out medals at the finish.

For our two volunteers though it was time to head home, both of them dreaming of a hot bath and a mug of tea.

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