Monday 7th August 2023
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Report written by Anastasia Hancock (she/her)
We had something very special to celebrate last night - a whole SEVEN YEARS of GoodGym Wandsworth. And what a seven years it has been. From that very first group session at Katherine Lowe Settlement in Battersea, we have run the length and breadth of Wandsworth lending a hand to strengthen our communities, from foodbanks to schools, community gardens, theatres, parks and everything in between. Along the way we've made lasting friendships, shared huge laughs, got very mucky, and done more squats that we can remember. Thanks so each and every one of you for being a part of it.
We have received a lovely message from GG central:
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOODGYM WANDSWORTH
Congratulations on all the great things accomplished; friendships made, people and families supported over the last few years, have loads of fun and enjoy the celebrations."
What's more, Jordan timed reaching his 200th good deed with our birthday, so there was even more to celebrate last night. A massive congratulations to Jordan! To mark the date, we had an evening of challenges, mini tasks, quiz questions and, of course, some fitness.
After some ground rules which included always sticking together as a group making sure nobody is left behind, we divided up into two teams - 'The saucony six' and 'Five go down the hill' - and set up two team whatsapp groups. There were lots of points available throughout the night for things like taking the most creative pictures and find the most interesting litter, best team spirit and first back to base. The clues were as follows:
The Great GoodGym Birthday Challenge
Head up to the common or a big green space of your choosing to create a piece of strava art that best represents goodgym Wandsworth.
A friend of GG Wandsworth needs some help. But where are they? Find them to complete your next mini task. Here is a clue to their location:
class.gravel.became
'The Tapestry of Life Mural'
(You may have to look very carefully!)
Your next mission is to find and pick at least 25 pieces of litter. Come and find me at the BAC to pick up your litter bags and pickers!
Once you have found and disposed of your rubbish come back to find me. As a team, you must find the hidden treasure and use it to do something good for the local community. However to get clues you will have to do a series of fitness based challenges. It is then up to you to choose the most effective way to spend your loot for the greater good. An extra point for the team who has the biggest impact!
Over the course of the evening the teams created some incredible Strava art - see pics - collected masses of rubbish (including a can of red bull, because it gives you wings!), donated to a food bank and helped plant loads of flowers donated from Wimbledon at a local charity.
Through sheer coincidence and a bit of GG magic, the final result was...drum roll...a draw! We finished off the night with a race back to base, a beautiful guard of honour, a picnic on the common and the most fabulous carrot cake courtesy of baking genius Catherine. We were in seventh heaven!
Thanks for being spectacular GoodGym Wandsworth, here's to the next seven!
Wed 9th Aug 2023 at 9:07am
Awesome games and celebration Ana. How do you come up with these?
Wed 9th Aug 2023 at 10:58am
Ah thanks Madhan! I hope Ealing also had a fabulous birthday yesterday :)
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