Julie and Anne started their run in the dark: it is the first session when we needed to switch our torches on and wear our reflective tops!

Last night, Julie intended to complete her training as a run leader. However, as there were only the two of us running enthusiastically to clean the Westfield Food Bank, we have asked GG Head Office if we should consider the session as a rehearsal or if Julie can now be crowned "Run Leader" 🏃‍♀️ 👑.

When we arrived at the Food Bank, having safely crossed the roads and ran cautiously on the very wet dead leaves, we met Sarah who, after a warm welcome, armed us with brooms 🧹, mops , bucket 🪣 🫧 and dusters.

While we waited for the floor to dry, Sarah told us about this church's community and how much they are close and look after each other. It was interesting to learn how different food banks have their very own approach.

Julie and Anne ran/walked back safely to the Leisure Centre just missing the rain!

After weeks of hushed whispers, knowing glances and enough rumourfuel to power a sleigh, tonight the truth finally landed: Woking GoodGym had once again received the words we’d all been waiting for: “Could you help pack the Xmas bags at the foodbank warehouse in Knaphill?”

Could we?

Oh yes, yes we could, and no one thought we couldn’t!

Like elves hearing the first jingle of Santa’s bells, we were ready to fill 90 sacks with Christmas time treats.

Each bag received a carefully curated mix of food, treats and love, ready to be delivered across the local community. Every time someone shouted, “We need more cereal!” it sounded like a joyful Christmas emergency.

This task is always a highlight for Woking GoodGym: an evening where teamwork, generosity and seasonal silliness blend perfectly. Knowing that every bag will brighten someone’s Christmas is the best reward.

It was lovely to see Louise from the Woking GoodGym alumni joining us with her son Henry, alongside a fellow alumni Bryan, the 2025 newbies are now well settled in, but of course, veterans, Anne, Adam, James, Katie and Wayne were missed from the production line. 90 bags packed within 45 mins, our most efficient effort yet AND no one lost a finger to the stacking containers, a Christmas miracle!

🎅 Well done GoodGym – another year, another mountain of Xmas bags, and another evening of excellent elf-level teamwork!

Thank you for the photos Nadia! 📸 Welcome to the crew, Zoe - you’ve earned your tutu 💃🏻

Jemma was the first to reach the Food Bank, followed by Karen and Anne who ran there from the Leisure Centre. Karen and Anne started with dusting the many shelves while Jemma tackled the big fridge.

Nadia came from work in London, and without hesitation reached for Henry the hoover and vacuumed the aisles with dexterity. At that moment Morgan, whose mission was their first, came in from the cold. We all stopped to welcome Morgan and asked them to follow Karen's lead!

Morgan had signed up to GoodGym in South London but had not managed to get involved. We are all delighted to have them as part of our Woking GG team!

Alison, the manager, told us that the food bank will be moving in January while the present building will be demolished. The new temporary premises will be in Church Path where the "old" night club used to be.

With so many hands all the jobs were done and we gathered on the steps for our monthly photo!

What a fantastic turn out for the mission at Woking Foodbank as 13 GoodGymers turned up to do a deep clean. The Foodbank is one of our regular and most popular missions where we usually clean the floors and wipe the surfaces. But Kirsty had the great idea to do a deep clean of all the shelves and fridge etc. Because there were so many of us it didn't take too long and we ended the evening with the traditional photo on the staircase. A massive cheer to Rob and Stephanie for their second mission with Woking GoodGym and to Julie for reaching 50 good deeds. We can't wait to see you in the black t-shirt Julie. Also a massive well done to Luan who ran non-stop from the Foodbank back to the meeting point at the leisure centre after a break in running. You are officially a runner now Luan.

Having been nominated as leader yesterday, Julie rushed to the task to ensure she was at the foodbank on time.

If only she'd checked the email she would have realised that it was actually a group run so while she waited for the customers to leave and started hoovering, the rest of the gang were waiting for her at the Leisure Centre. Despite the delay, Nadia, Anne, Andy and Kirsty had a good run and arrived in perfect time to get cracking with the mops.

The floors were soon a lot cleaner thanks to more hoovering by Andy and eagle-eyed Kirsty spotted some pot plants in need of some tlc.

This task always flies by and after the obligatory photo half-way up the stairs, we ran back towards the Leisure Centre.

Thanks to all the Goodgymers for their hard work, and looking forward to our next tasks on Sunday 27th.

Tonight we were back at Woking food bank at The Lighthouse, giving it a good old spring clean.

Anne, Karen & Laura ran from the Leisure Centre, whilst Katie, Phil, Julie and Alys made their own way to the task.

In less than half an hour, we had the place hoovered, mopped and organised! Many hands make light work as they say…

If you couldn’t join us today, there are two tasks available this Sunday - one indoors helping build a train set for All Aboard’s sessions for autistic, ADHD and SEN children, and another outdoor sowing wildflowers on Millmoor Common.