23 GoodGymers were out in the freezing cold doing good around Camden last night.

We had two newbies join the herd; welcome Dee and Hazel. I hope you enjoyed yourselves and will be back with us next week.

While you're here, why not get your name down for Scope and C4WS next week?

After a quick intro, we headed off along the streets to Jonathan and the team at the American International Church with bed-making on our minds.

Tonight there were 9 men's beds and 3 women's beds to be made, and with so many of us to hand, we got the task done in 20 minutes flat! The work we do by coming every week to make the beds over the winter literally means the difference between someone being on the street and being able to have the energy to apply for universal credit, book onto interview and English lessons, so thank you from me and thanks from Jonathan for turning up every week over what has been a cold winter to help out. I hope you think it's as meaningful a task as I do.

But once the beds were made, it was time for us to get moving again; our night wasn't over yet! Next was a run along the backstreets to Granary Square for some good old-fashioned laps with a time-trial of sorts underway; everyone had to run at least 2 laps and make a few seconds difference on their first lap's time.

With everyone back in one piece - and suitably warmed back up - we jogged back to the Community Centre for a cool down stretch. Although he didn't want it shouted from the hilltops, Suraj reached 50 Good Deeds on the run and I think that's worth celebrating! Liz was a very good egg and - as she was Walk Leader to C4WS and back - she bought some treats on the way back for us all to share.

NEXT TIME

COMMUNITY MISSIONS: Caledonian Junior Parkrun needs your help and Abi's organising the troops from Camden. 08:30-10:00 on Sunday 1st March.. They need 8 more volunteers - can you be one of them? There's also a Story Garden community mission next Wednesday before the Scope run from 5:30-6:30.

BIG HALF: There are a few of us Camdeners running the Big Half this Sunday! If you want to go along and cheer the team (and everyone else running!) please do - there are plans afoot on the GoodGym Camden Social WhatsApp group. A link to sign up to that group will be coming in an email from me on Thursday morning. And lastly but not least-ly, here's the info for the Big Half after-party. Runners, supporters, friends, family etc all welcome!

NEXT WEEK'S RUN: We're going to be heading back to Camden High Street to help out at Scope charity shop next week. The usual smaller group will be back at C4WS making beds. It'll be two indoor tasks, so not much chilly outside time for you - what a treat.

See you next time!

P.S. Huge thank you to Liz for saving my bacon with this quick and genius pun. I really need to go on a pun training course - any suggestions?*

25 amazing Goodgymers ran between 4-8km to collect 59 trees for recycling

Welcome back to GG Camden 2019, it's the same brilliant wonderful group of awesome people doing tons of good! A huge welcome to Andy whose first time it was last night!

In the news this week:

1. The January Challenge is in full swing, keep doing good and make sure you have your strava connected to the GG site so your kms count towards the target.
2. Sofia Running Festival registration is now open! There will be 100+ Goodgymers racing and having fun in May - join us - full details here.
3. Lots of training sessions - get signed up.

On a cold bitter January evening a strong team collected together to collect up as many Christmas tree's as possible for recycling. This helps prevent people getting fined for fly tipping, clears our streets of obstacles and is good for the environment!

We set off into the night in four teams varying different distances. The scores on the doors were:

• Team Chris: Ran around Kentish Town (6k overall) and 13 trees collected.

• Team Frances: Ran around Primrose Hill and collected together 5 trees (5-6k overall).**

• Team Kat: Ran around Somers Town and St Pancras, and collected up 10 trees (4km overall.)

• Team Farm: Ran up to Kentish Town City Farm and collected a huge 31 trees!

Overall that's an amazing 59 trees collected and recycled, plus lots of happy goats (they'll be eating the tree's at the farm).

Thanks for coming. Sign up for next week here.

PB out

19 Goodgymers ran 4-8km to leaflet for QCCA and garden for Cecil Sharp House

Welcome along to newbies Ellie, Lucy and Jason - lovely to have you along!

In the news this week:

1. September's Long Run will be led by Beth Nelson and Andy Cowan - full details here.
2. Cross Country Season starts soon and we'd love for you to join, there is one race a month from October to February for £5. See more details here.
3. We are going to Sofia in May 2019 for racing, spas and buffets - come join us here.

After our first intro indoors for a while we warmed up, getting all dynamic with our stretches and loosening our hips up.

Cecil Sharp House Report:

A team of 11 of us headed the 1.5k to Cecil Sharp House, the home of English Folk Music. Meeting the wonderful Susannah she put us into action:

• A team of four planted seeds, including winter lettuce.
• We spread across the driveway, sweeping up leaves and debris
• Using our favourite tool, the scraper - we cleared the weeds in the pavement cracks

Over 30 minutes we worked hard and made a big difference, Susannah was so happy with our work!

We headed to Primrose Hill for some shuttle runs and circuits - nice!

Leafleting for QCCA Report:

8 GoodGymers headed off towards Kentish Town to distribute leaflets for Kentish Town City Farm and Castlehaven Community Centre, highlighting the activities going on in the community. A few runners were very tempted to join the bingo sessions! We split into pairs and sped through the streets, distributing the leaflets in no time. We made our way back to base where Rosie channelled Paul and led a thorough stretching session.

Sign up here for next week here, we are off to help Skip Garden and Abbey Community Centre.

PB out.