GoodGymmers arrived at the monthly clothes swap in varying degrees of smelliness (mostly depending on whether or not they’d done parkrun beforehand or not…)

We were quickly set to work after a brief explanation of our role to first timers and location of name badges. It soon became apparent that it was going to be a bumper swapping session, with people queuing to get in throughout the session. Maybe the back to school vibes of early September prompted lots of wardrobe refreshment.

Anyway, back to the task at hand. There were all the usual questions, from “What colour is this?” to the classic “What actually is this?” to keep us entertained. Mikael and Nicky even got to use the long pole for the window display items, which was very exciting. Although there was plenty to keep us busy, there was also time for tea and biscuits, which is always appreciated.

The swap stayed busy until it was time to tidy up. Some of us who stayed until the end were gifted a bonus turn at the raffle and won a (single) handmade cutlery wrap. Any use to anyone?!

On the way out, Jenna (who runs the clothes swap) introduced us to Anna who’s starting a similar clothes swap in the South Bank area and looking for volunteering. So clothes swappers of York may get to see GoodGymmers at two different courses swap a month in future!

Thanks everyone, I know Jenna and her team really appreciated the extra pairs of hands for this particularly busy clothes swap.

Four GG Yorkies found their way to Woodthorpe to tidy up after their summer festival.

Our task was simple: find litter and take to to the skip. As well as emptying the already-full bins, we wandered in amongst the merry festival goers helping them to dispose of their waste.

Within half an hour the space looked neat and tidy, like nothing had ever happened!

York Pride is a huge event celebrating diversity and the LGBTQ+ community.

This year we helped out by marshalling at the parade. Our first job was unfolding the 50 metre long flag and spreading it down the crowd. There were many happy volunteers to carry it!

We then walked alongside from Parliament Street to the Knavesmire. It was amazing to see so much support on the route.

We arrived at the festival and were given our free wristband, then went our separate ways to explore.

Lovely to see Antonia again, hopefully we'll see you again at another task.

Three impeccably dressed Goodgymmers spent the morning helping out at the Acomb Clothes Swap.

Jenna was very pleased to see us with people already queuing out the door so we got to work straight away putting out the clothes people had brought and tidying up the rails. Time flew by as the stock and customers kept coming, with many items not even making it to the rail before people took them from us.

The other volunteers kept supplied with tea and cakes but my offer to exchange a slightly sweaty GoodGym t-shirt was politely declined.

After two hours of non stop work, the swappers finally started to disperse. Jenna thanked us for our efforts and said the swap would not have been able to go ahead without us.