At Christmas time, there’s no need to be afraid…of wrapping awkward shaped presents, because the GoodGym professional wrapping crew is at hand! Returning for our second year to support Prospect Hospice with its Christmas gift wrapping service, this year we had been invited to takeover the wrapping station all day.

On the morning shift, braving the torrential rain (missing parkrun suddenly didn’t seem a bad thing) were Special Kay, Gaby, Queen of Puns, Jo and Jo’s husband, Jonathan who was roped in as Chief Tea Boy.

Having collected our trolley full of wrapping paper, ribbon and collection buckets, we set up our stall in arguably the coldest place in Swindon – the front of the Brunel Centre. Jonathan was swiftly dispatched for hot drinks – but the latte didn’t last long after a coffee catastrophe. After a quick Supermarket Sweep style trolley dash for emergency kitchen roll to clear up, we donned our Santa hats and set to work.

With Kay’s floristry expertise making her an expert in bow making and Gaby’s previous experience of gift wrapping for a very famous high street store, they made the perfect wrapping team leaving Jo and Jonathan to shake the collection buckets and draw the crowds in. The beautifully wrapped presents were soon stacking up, all topped off with magnificent bows...

everyone was BOWled over by how good the gifts looked!

And thanks to the generosity and kindness of the people of Swindon, the collection buckets were soon very heavy – Prospect is a much loved and valued local charity and it is always heartwarming to hear just how many people have benefited from the care and support that the hospice provides.

With a quick drinks and mince pie break (it wouldn’t be GoodGym in December without a mince pie or two) the morning flew by and it was soon time to hand over to the afternoon crew of Tracey, Elf and Safety First Simon, and Simon’s mother-in-law Sue to complete our last weekend Community Mission of the year. But it’s not quite yet a wrap for GoodGym Swindon in 2019, coming up this week we have: Toy Sorting for Good News 4 Swindon's 'Christmas Toy Appeal', our last group run of the year!

Our last Community Mission of 2019 – We're Open Christmas Party @ Coffee 1!