0 Month Streak
0 Month Streak
Mon 1st Oct 2018 at 6:15pm
Norwich Report written by Steven Hitcham
One of the main reasons people join GoodGym is simply to do good. Whether it's on our Group runs to help local community organisations or our Mission runs or Coach runs to reduce social isolation in older people. This evening was a little extra special, well more than a little, as we kind of conquered all of those on tonight's Group run as we were going to have a games night with residents at a Redmayne View care home, part of Norse Care.
I knew how popular the task would be amongst our runners. It was an epic 11km return trip and some made the pledge of meeting halfway there so they could join in.
A few milestones for runners this evening with Kevin and Katie attending their 10th good deed and Catherine has now done a whopping 75 good deeds!
There was plenty to catch up on regarding race news as a few PB's over the weekend and some runners back after completing Half Marathons and 10-milers.
Katy was leading the group tonight with Cheska as back runner.
On arrival there were about 15-20 residents ready to play some games in their communal lounge. The staff had kindly put on some lovely refreshments for us.
We helped out with a variety of games such as New Age Kurling, Boccia, Bean Bag Throwing, Connect 4 and Dominos.
Not only that, each runner sat down and had conversations with the residents and this meant a lot to them.
You'll never know how much it means to us you coming to visit.
It was an experience that I think a lot of us were taken back a bit by, and upon reflection, very proud and humble of what happened this evening.
The photos show the sheer delight had by both the runners and the residents as well as the staff. There was nothing not to like about this evening and really goes to show how amazing GoodGym and it's runners really are.
Oh this is much better than watching TV all the time.
Two of the residents are even getting married next year, which is delightful to hear - Kevin & Bobby were quite keen to arrange the stag do haha.
It was nearly 8pm by the time we left as everyone wanted to stay. We are now hopefully going to arrange a Xmas night there in December.
Another big thank you to Katy and Bill for helping lead the group tonight, my back should be recovered to run properly next week.
Speaking of which, another big task next week as we are visiting Norwich Mind, which links into their #RunAndTalk campaign.
Tue 2nd Oct 2018 at 9:47am
Great evening so lovely listening to the residents, and seeing them enjoy the games. The staff are great to, can’t wait to go back.
Tue 2nd Oct 2018 at 10:13am
This is amazing, so lovely to read. Well done everyone!
Tue 2nd Oct 2018 at 10:39am
Well done Steve for organising this. It was such a lovely task and we really all wanted to stay longer but those km home in the dark beckoned....
Wed 3rd Oct 2018 at 5:33pm
Well done!
Mon 20th Aug 2018 at 6:15pm
Helping local community farm to move location
Read moreMon 13th Aug 2018 at 6:15pm
Norwich Report written by Steven Hitcham
With rain all afternoon I thought we were in for a wash out but as I walked up the stairs at The Forum there was an array of GoodGymers rearing to go. By the time we left the sun was out and it was a very nice evening.
Word must be spreading as we had a whopping new 8 runners this week. A big huge welcome to Rebecca, Francesca, Lizzy, Alicia, Amy, Lee, Steven and Ali.
Bill and Katy were fashioning their new black Goodgym t-shirts after reaching 50 good deeds a couple of weeks back.
A little talk was had about the races done at the weekend, a few done the Reepham 10km and Hayley and Jen did a half marathon, which was Jen's 1st and yet another amazing GoodGym story that has unfolded. It really is fantastic to see how GoodGym is changing people's lives for the better.
For tonight Katy kindly volunteered to be lead runner (or did I tell her to? Either/Or haha) and Elizabeth was back runner.
To the task then - we had a 3km each way trip to Eaton Park this evening to clean the gates, water the fruit trees and do a litter pick. Upon arrival I split the group into each activity and off they went.
Being such a large park, by the time everyone had returned to the band stand we didn't have time for the fitness session that I'd planned... to the joy of some.
On the way back I let Bill lead the group and I was back runner.
Next week we're off to visit Angelica's Rainbow.
Mon 6th Aug 2018 at 6:15pm
Norwich Report written by Steven Hitcham
Tonight was the return of cleaning the GoGoHares for Break Charity on yet another lovely sunny evening in Norwich.
We welcomed the lovely Kerry and Hassan on their 1st GoodGym adventure.
30 GoodGym Norwich members completed Run Norwich 10km yesterday so we did a round of applause for those who ran and volunteered.
Bobby and Brad were on their 10 good deed and Darren on his 25th good deed!!!
After the warm up I split everyone into 4 groups with a list of GoGoHares to clean, a map and a hare care kit. The aim was to meet at Chapelfield Gardens before 7.50pm for a quick sprint session... this was a FAIL.
I joined group 3 for a while just to make sure they weren't going to waste time to avoid doing the sprint session. Along the way even members of the public wanted to take photos of us with the GoGoHares... so it was time to get the gun show out.
I left group 3 halfway through (I think I was starting to annoy them haha) and went to Chapelfield Gardens eagerly awaiting everyone... and then stumbled across group 4 in the playing area and they hadn't even cleaned all their GoGoHares yet - so I put them through their sprint session there and then before they could go and finish the job they should be doing.
Group 1 came and met me and did their sprint session and then we headed back to The Forum and what a surprise group 3 were there waiting (so I made them sprint to the end of the road and back haha).
Group 2 turned up 10 minutes late (the irony) but still gave them the orders... funnily enough a photo later emerged of them in the pub... great way to avoid your sprint session ;-)
I clearly got the impression everyone wasn't up for the sprint session tonight haha but it was still great fun and everyone did a fantastic job.
There's some cracking photos so enjoy.
Next week we're off to Eaton Park.
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