Long day volunteering at the Manchester Half for Hannah, Gaynor, Uzondu, Hazel, and Ben.

It was early start and after arriving, we individually signed in, picked up our hi vis and lunch, and made our way to the start line to help out where we could.

Hazel got a box seat for the start, while Gaynor and Hannah were on duty to collect discarded jumpers and coats, some quite expensive by the sounds of it, to be donated to Cancer Research UK shops. There were so many bags! Several vans-worth. Uzondu and Ben, meanwhile, were in the "toilet run" ensuring people queued off the road, enabling the waves to congregate and pass through without issue. All of us seemed to be on hand to signpost where runners should go in addition to answering questions from spectators.

Come 11am, once the runners had gone and the sacks of clothes moved, we merged to board the Broom Wagon! With another group, we were to tail at the back, encouraging runners who were struggling near the back. With only a few runners struggling close to the cut off time until about mile 10 it was quite smooth, with some of us jumping out to walk/run alongside while encouraging the participants onwards. We were a little bit taken aback by the volume of plastic bottles and gel packets on the floor visible from the bus, and no surprise the council had their large roadsweepers out in force.

I think for the last section of the race, we were all out jogging or walking, helping where we could so participants could reach the goal of the finish line. It was really heartening to see them reach the line in what was often an emotional point for them.

Certainly earned the free packed lunch after that day.

Gaynor and Ben went along to help at Parakeet Pathway in Hulme, a site overseen by the Gaskell Garden Project.

As part of their regular Sunday volunteering session, Ben helped construct 2 picnic benches, making sure it was level, with parallel uprights, and secured the wooden planks for the seating and top. We also secured it to the ground (so it didn't go walkies...) using concrete screws and fastened with double bolts. Just needs treating but certainly ready to use for locals and passers by.

We both then took to weeding and clearing some of the beds, with lots of grass and weeds taking over. We used this as mulch for the fruit trees nearby.

There was some brief physical respite when planting lots of garlic, using straw to cover any loose soil.

Busy but productive session. Will post when they have another session soon.

Gaynor and Ben went along to help Ardwick Climate Action for their regular Saturday volunteering slot.

This time, we were in St Saviour's graveyard, soon to be the Lydia Becker space as part of the existing green routes overseen by Ardwick Climate Action 🌳

Initially we picked up any litter in the area, culminating in 4 bags plus some larger items 🚮

Most of the task involved clearing a corner of the graveyard 🪦 of young trees 🌳 that had taken root between the grave stones. Armed with loppers, secateurs, and saws, plus a bouncy Juno, we made good progress and filled 3 big rubble sacks of branches and trunks to be reused at a garden or green refuse centre (no waste here!)

Once cleared, the tools were collected, litter reported to keep Manchester tidy, and we said our goodbyes 👋

Gaynor went along to help Smithfield Garden Club this evening with lots of weeding and clearing of a garden area near The Wheatsheaf pub in NQ.

Really friendly group I've heard and looking much tidier now.