On a rainy evening in Ipswich (erm hi Spring, where did you go?!) , 5 GoodGymers headed to help the Salvation Army get their courtyard garden ready for the warmer weather. Natasha and Natalie put in a few kms to get there around the port and docks to stay traffic-free and met Pippa and Paul there.

Spurred on my the poor weather, we quickly got to work removing all the weeds, freeing up space in the courtyard for future planting and creating more room for residents to enjoy come Summer.

And we were delighted to see previous tasks of sorting the donation room had well and truly paid off. Beverley proudly showed us how tidy is still is! What a result.

Great job everyone! What a difference in a short space of time.

Firstly, welcome to new Good Gymer Richard! Welcome to the gang! And great to have company on the run this evening and learn about your speedy running escapades.

Great to see Paul back along for tonight's task too and returning core members Bruce, Imogen, Pippa and David.

We were straight in to the task tonight as the job looked big. A serious amount of KGs in donations had arrived at the Salvation Army and we had to create some order in the chaos.

Life's biggest, most pressing and existential questions were quick to surface: is a fleece a jumper or a coat? And what about gillets? Should jeans be folded or arranged by size?

In 40 minutes the room was transformed and Beverley was very pleased. Aesthetics and levels of order did plague Imogen, Pippa and myself: should we introduce colour coding next time too for ease of browsing?

Such is the efficiency of the Good Gym Ipswich team that we double-tasked tonight!

After our run tonight we headed to the Salvation Army where Beverley had lined up two tasks: not a problem we said with the swagger of a gang who know how to get stuck in.

First up was tackling the donation room and getting the clothes sorted. All separated and folded by item so that they are easy to access and try on. Five suitcases done and tidied.

Task two alerted all our sweet tooths as we divided sweets and wrapped them ahead of Valentines Day for gifts for the residents. It seems Quality Sweets are for life and not just for Christmas.

Well done everyone! Paul Natasha 10 Imogen Bruce

*as ever, pun copyright of Imogen ;)

Good Gym Ipswich got the New Year off to a great start tonight with a Group Run to support the Salvation Army.

And despite cold temperatures and traffic holding people back, we all arrived together to get stuck in Lucy, Imogen, Bruceand Leanne.

Catching up on the run about Christmas, New Year and resolutions, it turns out there are fitness goals and intentions a plenty in the gang - with half marathon plans being ticked off and miles put in the bank for total mileage targets. Impressive stuff!

We quickly got to work tidying the donation room full of clothes that are available for the male residents. No sock was unturned (sorry, feeling the puns tonight) and we quickly established the criteria for keep, clean or rag.

Less said the better about one pair of pants (isnt that right, Lucy) but it took no time at all to get the room near, tidy and ordered. Also revealed tonight was my Marie Kondo tendencies - can I come back and re-order by size and colour...?!

Great to be reunited after the festive break and see everyone rejuvenated and raring to go.

We got in the festive flow tonight as we headed off to wrap presents for the salvation army.

Quickly dividing ourselves into 2 teams of 2, we were wrapping machines. Eleanor and Natasha made up the first formidable duo whilst Paul and I comprising the second.

Within minutes the competitive spirit surfaced as to which team could wrap fastest and neatest - although it seems those two things don't always go hand in hand.

Right on the button of an hour spent et voila.... a bounty of *beautifully wrapped gifts

Full credit to Eleanor for the pun too... credit where credit is due.

Great work everyone. Think Father Christmas still needs some helpers ...?

*not all presents wrapped by Natalie can be described as perfectly executed ..

Tonight Paul and I headed off to add extra hands and help the work of the Salvation Army.

With a large site to look after - to deliver their important support and services - there are quite a few of 'those cupboards'. You know the sort: ones where lots of things are stored when they don't have a fixed place or are rarely needed. Case in point, their Christmas decorations.

Under the guidance of Beverley, Paul and I set to work creating three piles; keep, rehome or recycle. Stacey Solomon eat your heart out.

We look forward to heading back again soon as there are plenty of tasks for Good Gymers to get stuck in to.