As Old Spike filled up with GoodGymer's, it signaled it was time to head out from the warmth and into the cold. There was just time for a reminder about the Christmas Party before we set off (11th December - 20:15 - Voodoo Rays)!

On arrival, the task was clear, we needed to clean all the toys to make sure they're clean for when they children play with them! Armed with the tools (soapy/dettol water and some clothes) the team set about cleaning every toy in sight. Even the sofas didn't escape a thorough clean, which is good because they needed a wipe down too!

A team of 4 went to sort the craft supplies, throwing out dried up pens, sharpening pencils and making sure everything was in a more organised order.

With not long to go and a lot of plastic balls still to clean and all the toys to get back into the cupboard, everyone stepped in to get the last bits done!

After a quick photoshoot and goodbye to task owner Valentina, it was time to head back to Old Spike which had the promise of Athletic Brewing beers.

Well done to everyone for tackling the 6km run with enthusiasm and also thanks to Daryl for leading us a much nicer route than I had planned!

It has been many sleeps since we were last at the American International Church's winter shelter. Google tells me it's been 238 sleeps. And yet yesterday felt so easy as we stepped back into our comfortable and warm winter routine.

Six of us - Andy, Gosia, Jackie, John, and Rose (and me) - started our evening (successfully) counting to 25, and we then wove our way through Bloomsbury's bustle and buzz, sharing stories all the way.

Arriving on an increasingly festive Tottenham Court Road, we picked up our remaining good-deeding crew (Ivar, Jack, Louise, Sarah, and Steve) and climbed down to a basement that's always a hubbub of positive activity on winter Wednesday nights.

The C4WS Homeless Project has been making a difference since 2006, and our task (making the evening's beds) was one part of a larger (and quite special) operation.

I had barely finished saying - 12 beds in the big room > 3 in the small room > 1 on the stage - when the sounds of camp beds a-sprining and duvets a-quilting filled our positive air.

It usually takes me 387 minutes to make a bed, but this special group assembled and dressed 16 beds in no more than 20.

With our bed-making completed, the group took their talents to the dining cabin, making swift work of creating a neat and tidy space for the evening meal.

Thanks so much, everyone, for your work and energy last night - it was wonderful to see you!!

Here's to next time!

The English Dance and Song Society, situated at in the heart of Camden, is a registered charity which relies on wedding hire to make ends meet. Marriage ceremonies rely on good pictures, and the beautiful Cecil Sharp House and gardens, the society’s HQ, needs to be kept looking smart and well maintained.

Which is where GoodGym Camden came in. To clear the grounds of fallen leaves, which look a mess and prevent the grass from flourishing, we used a mixture of a rake, two brooms, a large leaf grabber and – for the first time, in my experience - a leaf blower, as used by the local council and which we’ve all secretly wanted a go on. This meant we could clear the grass of stifling leaves without the rather crude raking which risks harming the turf itself. The leaves were blown onto the paths, to join their fellow fallen, which were then all swept and raked into strong plastic bags.

The six GoodGymers joined over-worked task owner Susannah with clearing the back lawn, but such was our speed and hard work, we had time to clear the front of the building, and then to tackle the side paths as well. By the time we’d finished, we’d filled about twenty bags with leaves, and it only remained to somehow cram them into Susannah’s car, for transporting to the recycling centre.

A special welcome to Rose, taking on her first ever GoodGym task tonight. We look forward seeing you again for many more Good Deeds!

We've got further tasks next Wednesday evening https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/friendly-group-session-setting-up-the-cold-weather-shelter-at-the-american-international-church,

on Saturday week https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/friendly-group-session-moving-timbers-digging-earth-autumn-gardening-at-st-cuthbert-s-church,

and every Wednesday lunchtime! https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/help-a-green-environmental-project-2c4dfb10-3e02-4987-9a2d-a169b836f988