33 of Camden's finest helped Skip Garden with some gardening and we leafleted for Green Gym & Kentish Town City Farm

Welcome along to Antonia whose first group run it was last night - lovely to have you along.

In the news this week:

1. Well done to Shirin who hit 50 Good Deeds last week! Woop woop!
2. Also a massive well done to Sophie and Steve who represented GG at Manchester Marathon recently, both achieving under 4 hours.
3. This Sunday is the London Marathon and GoodGym has various cheering squads out and about - have a look here. Myself and 20+ other GoodGymers are running - come along and cheer us on!

Chris' Leaflet Telegram:

This week were leafleting for Green Gym who run local gardening projects in Camden and Kentish Town City Farm who run programs for people 60+ in the local community.

Sunset running

We headed up to Kentish Town. Bumped into Jess (Sophie's mate) on the way there on her bike. Split into two groups, tackled the areas marked on the map around Kentish Town, working our way back down to Castlehaven. Pritesh was at the back, Steve gave a leaflet to some corner lads. Stop.

Skip Garden Report by PB:

We headed over to Skip Garden, through a busy Granary Square (it was like it was the first day of summer or something). Upon our arrival we met Chief Gardener Emma who explained our jobs:

1. Folding up and loading the yurt onto a van to be moved to the Canada Water site - this provides lots more space in the Garden for activities!
2. Shovelling soil into small bags so to be easily used around the garden to feed the plants & flowers
3. Moving the compost ridan out of the way - it's unfortunately broken and will be removed soon, so no more ridan fun.
4. Moving very heavy pots from inside to outside
5. Watering the plants - they need feeding

RIP Ridan

After we'd taken a group picture we headed for a run on the sunny canal with two options on the way back, short with Frances or long with me.

I am recovering from London Marathon next week so Pritesh is in charge and you're going to Antrim Allotments - sign up here.

PB out.

37 Goodgymers ran 7km and helped Grounded Ecotherapy at the Southbank Centre

Spring has sprung and last night was set to be a task to remember, our second visit to the Southbank Centre this month!

Welcome along to newbies Simeon and Alysson - lovely to have you along.

In the news this week:

1. Next Wednesday we are meeting at the Somers Town Coffee House instead of the Living Centre as it's closed for Easter.
2. The date for the GoodGym Olympics has been announced - 30th June. Camden won last year and we'll be looking to retain the trophy - get signed up!
3. Don't forget we are having our 5th birthday party at Skip Garden on 12th April - pizza, bake off and BYOB. Sign up ASAP please :)

Onto to what we actually did last night, after a quick warm up we headed south - through Russell Square, Holborn, passed Somerset House and across Waterloo Bridge to the Southbank Centre. The Thames looked beautiful as the sun was setting over it.

We were helping the fantastic charity Grounded Ecotherapy who say this about themselves: We offer recovery for people and places. We create thriving green spaces from neglected urban environments. Our members have extensive knowledge and skills in horticulture. Joining Grounded Ecotherapy helps members who have suffered mental health, substance misuse issues or experience of homelessness, to get back on their feet.

Once we'd all arrived, we climbed the yellow stairs of the Southbank Centre and got the task going, splitting into groups we covered the following:

• Moved a big and small spikey ball!
• We laid top soil over the ground where turf will be rolled out later this week.
• A team of four raked the laid out soil - smoothing it over
• Pickers collected up rocks, sticks and debris from the laid soil.
• Over the other side of the rooftop a team laid a base of pebbles and covering in some planters before filling them with soil

Tough Mudder

As the sun set our paced quickened and we got tons done. Finishing off with a rush to fill the planters all hands were on it!

After a group picture and a thanks to the Grounded Ecotherapy team we headed into the night back home. Check out Grounded's thank you message for last night's work to us here

Sign up for next week here when we'll be off to help Scope Charity Shop in Camden for a NEW TASK!

PB out.

15 hardcore GoodGymers walked 3km and made 15 beds for the homeless at American International Church

Wow you guys are beyond amazing, 15 people in this weather is incredible! The beast from the east ain't nothing on GG Camden, we're the best innit. Welcome and huge cheers to Abbi whose first time it was last night - awesome!

In the news this week:

1. Next Wednesday at GG Camden there is the biggest task of the year at Southbank Centre helping Grounded Ecotherapy lift a lot of crushed concrete. If you are free please come along!
2. Next Thursday (8th March) is GG Monthly Drinks in Greenwich, come along for puns, fun and drinks!
3. Well done to Rosie for smashing Brighton Half Marathon on Sunday in 1.34 - boom!

Ain't snow stopping us now. In some of the harshest weather to hit the UK in years, 15 of Camden's finest gathered together to trek across the St Pancras/Russell Square area to help make beds for the homeless. On an evening like last night making those beds for the guests at the American International Church seemed as important as ever. I thought earlier in the day whatever happens those beds will be made, whether I'm alone but I didn't have to fear I had a team of good-doers.

March of the Camdenites

Upon our arrival at the Church we got to work making 15 beds for the homeless and the support staff staying there that night. It's all about your technique with bed making, it seems Beth Nelson got lost in the bed (must have missed the health and safety briefing). The quickest bed makers went to finish off the job in the other room.

Truer words haven't been said: "Snow way Camden will let you down". Jenna from C4WS emailed me this morning with WARM regards for our work:

THANK YOU to the team for braving the snow and freezing temperatures last night to help us with the shelter.

We opened the shelter slightly earlier for our guests, and the efficiency of the runners made this process very smooth.

We are extremely grateful.

Five of us made it to the pub to talk about the 90's and warmer times - do you remember laying on the grass? Or struggling to keep your beer cold? We don't. We will soon.

See you next week for the biggest task of the year.

Stay safe. Stay Warm.

PB out.