5 of us arrived on a hot day to pick and pack for Frenford FoodBank. We are all experienced in this task at these premises so (to stop us zoning out) lively music was put on to keep our spirits up and ice lollies provided to keep our temperatures down. These measures went down well with both the goodgym and the Frenford volunteers so we sang and danced our way together through the session and finished early with a little time for social chit chat afterwards.

47 people will be a little better off for our efforts today. 🥳🥳

6 of us helped out at Frenford Foodbank today. Eddie and Linda set up and got started with the picking and packing, followed by Peter and Natalie who got stuck straight in. 4 helpers from friends of Frenford also pitched in and the usual convivial, jostling and bantering took place in the hustle and bustle of the narrow shelving area.

Everyone there were old hands at the job and despite a few issues with incorrect shelf labeling we were done in no time. Addie had had problems with transport and Louise had intended to join us for the last hour so both turned up just as we were packing up. We wanted to take advantage of their fresh energy and eagerness to help so got them tidying up the shelves and sorting out the relabeling.

Amazing that people take time out of their busy lives to help out. Well done all of us.

As usual, a variety of methods brought 5 regulars down to the Cornerstone Church to meet Adam and get stuck into sorting the donations received - run + walk + bus were today's choices. Not long after we got started Linda also made it down, bringing Ed along with her for his first experience.

Lots of bags sorted out, ready for processing - job well done!

Husband and Wife Ed and Linda arrived at Frenford Food Bank, shortly followed by partners Natalie and Peter with Kathryn and her Mum (one day we will get her Mum to officially sign up to GG) making three GG family pairing connections.

Happy to see Simone made a welcome comeback for her second session here and sending a huge GG welcome message to Addie who completed her first GG mission today with style...I hope you found the shortcut out Addie and that we can look forward to seeing you again😁

Not sure if there were many more family connections but there was at least one Sister-in-law pairing in the other group of volunteers. Regardless of kinship the combined teams worked together like one big happy family. With so many of us working well together we got 60 packages prepared in record time. It ended up that what scheduled as a tea break ended up as a cuppa and chat which finished the session.

Peter...was there really any need to photograph Linda blowing her nose? ...every family has got one naughty character and you are definitely ours 🙄😂

Time flies.... another 6 weeks passed, so it was time to pop down to the babybank again.

The lovely Ambra joined us at our Wantead base for her first Goodgym experience - give her a cheer!

As always, Adam had bags of donated clothing waiting to be sorted sorted we arrived, with Elegia & Natalie joining us shortly after, having made their own ways there. We got stuck in sorting through it all, chatting along the way and ofcourse checking out some of the more unusual / cuter finds.

One of these days I will get round to taking a proper set of pictures, including a glimpse of the rest of the process, honestly, but for this one poster girls Ambra & Elegia will have to do 😁

• This Thursday 5/3, Foodbank at Frenfords
• Next group run 16/3
• Next babybank session currently 20/4, but might be brought forward since there is lots to do
• Most Saturdays - Valentines Parkrun (Linda's 200th on 14th!)

A new year, same favourite task - Babybank is back!

So some of the usual suspects gathered at Wanstead House to welcome the lovelyNavratti for her first ever Goodgym experience.

After and initial chat Navratti, James & Linda set off while I waited a few more minutes to see whether Sher would make it down as well. sadly this wasn't the case so I chased the other three down to the babybank, where Natalie and later Jo made their own way to.

It seemed the Christmas break had put some things out of sequence, the lovely laminated labels to separate the age ranges were nowhere to be found. But luckily host Adam found post-it notes!

As always, the amount of bags waiting seem daunting but once again just under the hour all were sorted and it was time to pack up and put all away in the main room for others to do part 2 of the process.

Thanks all for joining in on quite short notice - next sessions are being planned, details to follow

5 of us helped out at Frenford Foodbank today. Frenford had been donated a lot of extra treats that had missed the pre Chirstmas packages. We set a volunteer the task of filling an extra bag of chocolates, biscuits and savoury snacks for each of the recipient families while old hands at the job Ed S. and Peter got on with packing the main body of the packages shortly joined by Natalie. Natalie is a newbie to our Frenford team, she quickly picked up on what was required and proved to be a very useful member of the team, hope to see her again soon 😊 Another welcome sight was Ed F. who came in apologising for coming in late to the session not realising that the new enthusiasm and energy of a later arrival is so welcome just as we are starting to flag. It also meant he was up for helping with some of the closing tasks. Great session, well done to all involved.