Tonight’s group run was re-named the “Richmond Mash-Up” as we were joined by some fantastic new runners in the form of Africa, Nansi and Elliot, GoodGym visitors from Hounslow (Luis on his first run with Richmond, who was joined by the awesome trio who are now becoming quite the regulars at GG Richmond) and also Kingston tourists (Kate and Nicky).

Getting into gear on the green. #goodgym #richmond #running #fitness #warmup #volunteering pic.twitter.com/H5iL1nGOgY

— GoodGym Richmond (@GGRichmon) July 30, 2018

After some pretty competitive games of tag for our group warm up on Richmond Green, we headed across the river, passed by packed pubs of evening drinkers and along the lanes to CGL HQ.

It was touch and go! #goodgym #richmond #richmondgreen #running #drills #fitness #warmup #doinggood pic.twitter.com/twsmRreUA5

— GoodGym Richmond (@GGRichmon) July 30, 2018

CGL stands for Change, Grow, Live and they help clients who are battling with alcohol or drug addiction and support them in taking their first steps on the journey to make a change that will enable them to grow as people and go on to live sober lives. As we headed up the stairs to the training rooms we saw the tree of motivational messages from people who have completed their journeys and it really helped to motivate us even more for the task ahead!

We were initially expecting to be painting, however due to a delayed paint delivery our painting skills were thankfully not put to the test, but instead we flexed our muscles sanding the walls and cleaning them ready for painting later in the week. Our collective 18 strong man/woman power made light work of moving the furniture and cleaning the rooms from floor to ceiling and they were left sparkling ready for their makeover.

It was a fantastic turnout and awesome energy and CGL were really pleased with the results and keen to see us all again for future tasks.

To top off the night we celebrated 2 members of the group reaching a fantastic milestone of 50 Good Deeds. Huge congratulations to Michelle and Samia. We know it won’t be long until we are also celebrating you achieving your wings!! Both legends in GoodGym, who contribute so much, thank you.

On Wednesday GoodGym will have achieved 100,000 Good Deeds, it would be great if you could all share a short message on social media about your favourite good deed, a link to the run report, and any pics you have with the hashtag #gg100k. It would be brilliant to get everyone involved so please spread the word at the runs this week. Here’s an example of a tweet you could use: GoodGym has completed 100,000 good deeds My favourite was… #gg100k www.goodgym.org/reports/.

Thanks Nicky, awesome run report, I was a bit premature with my dates for Balsam pulling, next week we visit the fantastic ETNA so loggies are needed in two weeks time!

Happy running,

FAST FOOD PART 1

14 Brave Brent bandits, ran miles, to sort through piles of food that was sent, for the community of Brent!!

Food donation sorting for the amazing Brent Food Bank.

Having spent the last few days sending out a shed load of 'don't leave me hanging' emails to my crew, I was delighted to be met at base camp by a team of 13!! This of course was an absolute miracle considering the icy weather, freezing cold snow and wintery conditions!! So thank you, thank you team of brave warriors!!! What an awesome turn out for GG Brent's last sesh of 2017!!

The tasks (plural) at hand this evening, for our last and final session of the year, were helping out the Brent Food Bank, with their enormous hoard of food donations for Christmas at not one but two locations!!

As there were a couple of sites to get to; the storage center and the base, we split into 2 and set off! I led the team heading for base camp - The vestry hall, for an evening of lifting, loading and sorting all kinds of food groups into orderly piles and racked onto the shelves. Supported by my amazing team - Pete, Mouse, Marie, Ellen, Isabelle and Beth!

Our journey of 1.4 Miles was a cold one, so to beat the icy bite of the winds, we made it rapid!! That's fast food, if ever you did see!

Looked after by Maxine and Nana on arrival we were set to work instantly! There was so much to get through, we were like a team of busy elves, beavering away in our nutritious workshop!

Halfway through, we were rewarded with mugs of hot tea, which gave us the added energy to keep up the good work, for an extended session of 60 Mins, as we didn't want to go until we'd made a hefty impact on the massive piles!!

After a full hour of Good-deeding and about 100 tins and packets of food galore stocked up onto shelves, we said our farewells and head back out into the night.

Facing the cold once more, the run was again, a swift affair, but we didn't care. Pleased with our effors, we couldn't have done better. For Brent's amazing bank of food, not a worthier cause could we choose!!

FAST FOOD PART 2 - By Tabitha Skinner

So our group had the task of running to Brent Food Bank's storage unit, where they keep the tons of donations they receive. It was a 2.4Mile route there and we were thrilled to get there in less than 30mins woop woop.

We met Michele on site, who took us to the storage unit and told us a bit about what the Brent Food Bank do for the community! But to read a bit more yourselves check out their website - https://brent.foodbank.org.uk

Amazing cause What we found out was that they have boxes of food donations ready for when people in need.... need them. They also do packs of toiletries and nappies and things for new mums when they go to hospital to have a baby, as well as feminine products for girls who can't afford them. If that wasn't enough, this amazing cause also put on and host cooking classes at their base, for the community to teach people how to eat healthily and well for less money.
Loads of good stuff!!

Weigh-hey So back to our task, which was to empty out their big yellow, storage unit and weigh EVERYTHING before putting it back! This is because they have to do a yearly audit of donations, so we were helping with that. It was a mammoth task which took longer than a usual GG amount of set time, however, as it was our last one for the tear, we were all happy to stay and do more for these amazing people.

Fast food.... literally We got to work quickly using human chains to take it all out, weigh the boxes, then put them back. Each box was easily 20kg so we definitely worked hard, and we had hundreds of them to sort, so that's easily a tonne of donations we lifted. David our very own Isabelle's hubby (she finally dragged him along!!), was at the end of the chain most the night so probably did the most work! What an intro!! Even though there was so much food, Michele said, if they didn't get any more it would only last until April so they are always looking for more donations all the time!!!

Nearly there The last few boxes were Christmas presents and decorations so they were the last ones in, ready to be taken out again this week, for creations of Christmas Cheer all over Brent homes. After our epic efforts, we all ran back to base in the cold, other than karen who ubered it - Don't blame you Kazzer!!!

Until next year!!!!! That's GG Brent over and out!

Seventeen sensational @GGSHEFF runners ran 7km to help spread woodchip for Heeley City Farm.

We welcomed new runner Rachel Ripley to the GG family tonight, welcome to the team Rachel - Give her a cheer!

After a quick brief and headcount and with Sam as our trusty back marker we headed off to Heeley City Farm for the nights task.

This weeks task involved a hide and seek style start with tools and a treasure map of the task hidden away in a horsebox. We quickly deciphered the map and got to work, splitting into 2 teams to move woodchip to areas of the farm that were in need of a new layer!

Using wheelbarrows, wheelie bins and brut force we quickly covered the areas in need and even had time to fill some bags up for moving in the future.

After downing tools and accidentally disturbing the local scrumpers we headed into the fitness element of the evening which took advantage of the local topography....

This week we:

• Duck Walked

• Lunged

• Box jumped

• Downhill backward walked!

• Hill sprinted

After all this in the heat it was time to head back and finish with a fast becoming customary mini hill sprint at the end before stretching and spreading the word of the latest news including:

• GG Barnsley launch

• Chosen Park Run for this Sat

• Wednesday Runch

• #stickemup - see photos for Sam's excellent demo!

Next week we are off to Reagther so make sure you've signed up.

Happy Running,

Tom