Sun, sports and solidarity - today was Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity's annual sports day.

We received a very warm welcome from the organisers (and not just because of the amber weather warning in place!) Volunteers and participants were briefed before we all set off on our sporty tasks.

We were asked not only to help with specific roles to make the activities flow, but also encourage participation and inclusion ... so if you saw someone on their own, grab a couple of badminton rackets and have a game with them! Tracy got straight into that and played some brilliant matches while Pete headed off to the welly wanging area and took on the brave challenge of marking the throws (while trying not to get hit by a flying welly!)

Lorraine and Naomi were on multi-sports duty, setting up and replacing bean bags, skipping ropes, sacks and eggs and spoons for the heats of all the races. Tracey and Gwyn took ultimate responsibility for the results, holding up the finish line and clocking the winners of each race.

Our volunteers joined in with a few challenges ... badminton, egg and spoon race, welly wanging and the tug o' war!

We were honored when our GoodGym team were asked to present certificates to the winners - a lovely way to round off a perfect day.

I think Pete summed it up when choosing our name for the tug o' war ... the preceeding teams had chosen football teams and Pete suggested "United". It felt like we were. A fabulous day with and amazing group of people.

Here's some feedback from the task owner Charlie:

"GoodGym volunteers Lorraine, Pete, Tracey, Gwyn, Naomi and Tracy all came along and supported Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity's annual Sports Day on Saturday 13th August. They were excellent, making a significant contribution to the smooth running of the day by helping to organise equipment and events as well as encouraging participation and joining in the activities! Their great initiative and enthusiasm were very much appreciated. Indeed, we were also pleased to recognise their valuable presence by asking them to present the winner and runner up certificates!"

After cycling to the mission (oh those hills!), Tracy joined Ashley and Naomi for her first visit to St Matthew's Church.

The GoodGym team are regulars now at St Matthew's, and are always made to feel so welcome and appreciated. Today we were treated to a cup of tea and chocolate biscuits! David, the Church Warden, and some visitors to the Church told us what a difference our visits are making.

Today's mission was a continuation of previous tasks - pulling grass up from the overgrown graves. Some of the graves have a weed membrane making the grass much easier to lift, so we were eased gently in when we started with them. The further back in the Churchyard we got though, the tougher the grass (as thick and tough as straw), so we found ourselves putting in more and more effort as the morning went on! It was a great upper body workout and much more fun than going to the gym!

3 GoodGymers volunteering over 3 hours = 9 hours of work, but still plenty left to do!

We're back here on the 16th July for more gardening fun!

We have linked up with the local Scout group, who popped along to meet us and would like our help with their garden. Watch this space for a future task to support them.

Thanks to our fabulous volunteers for all the hard work, enthusiasm and great company.