Queue the Match of the Day theme tune...

You join us this afternoon Gary on a cold and chilly Saturday afternoon for the early kick off at Swindon Town’s Energy Check County Ground where four Swindon Goodgymers have arrived for today’s event – raising money for Brighter Futures.

Brighter Futures is the charity for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the money raised today would go towards the Better Births Appeal which hopes to pay for special equipment to help mums and newborns during the labour, delivery and post-natal period.

Town’s initial 2,2,2,2 line up has been boosted by some late loanees and a late tactical switch has meant they will line up to today in a 3,3,3,3 formation in their new h-viz yellow strips.

And here comes the team, they’ve gathered together and it looks like they are receiving some last minute instructions by their manager, fellow runner and Hound Michelle, who has distributed the buckets and collecting tins and of course the all important licensing permits.

Defending the Town End goal will be Helen and Charles. On the left wing by the Arkells Stand will be Teresa and Sam B with the loanees taking positions by the Don Rodgers stand and the ground entrance by the famous Swindon Magic Roundabout. That is quite a strong line up Gary.

The team have got some tough opponents this afternoon as they try to prise money out of the thousands of supporters expected to attend today’s match.

By half time, there was still plenty of smiles as reports came in of people putting their hands into the pockets and purses and donating cash into the donating buckets. Some donations were missed as their opponents managed to dodge the collectors but it was always going to be a tough match.

And the final whistle has gone, it’s all over, we are just waiting for the result on the vidiprinter…

And here it is….over £300 has been raised Gary!

What a result!

After some more GoodGym fun? Then join us on Tuesday for a run to Toothill Farmhouse...details can be found here!

On a cold and chilly morning four GoodGym'ers met up at Lydiard Park to help marshal at the Santa vs Rudolph fun run. With the choice of 3km, 5km or 10km distances there was an option for anyone to walk or run.

This event is now run by Brighter Futures and the Swindon Phoenix Rotary Club and all money raised will be split between the two charity's with the Rotary Club donating theirs to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

After meeting at 10am we had an hour before the race started so Stuart treated his fellow GoodGym'ers Andrew, David and Hannah to a nice hot cup of tea in the Forest Cafe where we met up with some more GoodGym'ers who were taking part in the event. Teas done and bellies warm it was time to get into position along the course before the run started at 11am. Two hours later with plenty of cheers along the way the final two walkers in their reindeer onesies had crossed the finish line and got a nice medal to show for it.

Our next Community Mission is on Saturday 14th December; please check it out here and here and sign up if you are free that day. We really need your help here!

We had an unbelievabubbly good time marshalling at Swindon’s first ‘Bubble Rush’ at Lydiard Park.

In aid of Brighter Futures, a charity of the Great Western Hospitals NHS foundation Trust, the event consisted of a 5K run around the Swindon parkrun course with four bubble stations for the runners to run through and hopefully appear on the other side!

Red Shirted wonders Andrew, Rhoda, Helen, Gina, myself, the ‘Bubble and Strife’ Emma, and junior GG’ers Luke and Grace provided support on two of the four bubble stations.

The morning started with a warm welcome from the ever enthusiastic Michelle who went through our duties, basically making sure we didn’t lose any children in the bubbles. We were delegated our stations and dispatched armed with food parcels.

Andrew and Rhoda were on the Blue Bubble Station; Helen, Gina , and us Sperring’s were on the Pink Bubble Station. As we approached, a waft of pink bubbles greeted us. We met our First Aider and a member of the Event Team and got in position. Well, I say that!! The adage ‘when in foam’ certainly applied to Helen and Gina. At any opportunity they were messing around in the bubbles. OK, we all did! The pink dye in the bubbles made us look like we had a severe case of sun burn!!

With almost 1500 runners we had the bubble whammy of 2 waves of runners to deal with. Safety First Simon was impressed with the various different PPE worn, from goggles, shower caps and even All-in-Ones. Its good to see everyone taking their Health and Safety responsibilities seriously!!!!

By the time the second wave of runners had started, Luke and Grace's enthusiasm bubble had burst and they retreated for some iPad watching!!

A fun filled morning was had and all for a good cause, as Del Boy would say…… ‘Lovely Bubbly’!!!!

We have another Community Mission in the diary - next Thursday 27th June with Mike at the Cricketers Arms for a spot of weeding and chatting! Check it out here and book on today!