7 runners ran 4km to shovel manure for Freightliners Farm

Last night under the threat of rain that never materialised (my no-rain dance must have worked) 7 runners met at the Rose Bowl to run down to Freightliners Farm to do some good. Freightliners Farm provides a free space for interaction with animals. This comes both in the form of day visitors, and also volunteers, including groups that come to help out for therapeutic purposes.

When we arrived we were directed to put on wellies and gloves and I have to say some of us were a little hesitant! Then we came face to face with our challenge.... a giant pile of lovely, mature manure.

All 7 of us got to work on one important task - bagging up manure to be sold on by the farm for £2.50 a bag (a bargain!). The manure is made up of animal poo (no surprises there), hay and other biodegradable matter and it takes about a year to breakdown and become the really good stuff.

In pairs - one holding the bag, one shovelling the.... stuff... we worked hard for half an hour and finished about 20 bags. Smashing work Islington! The Farm and it's inhabitants are eternally grateful.

We then had a bit of spare time to meet the locals. In particular, new GoodGym Islington mascot Gretel a gorgeous 2 month old Bagot Goat. We promised we'd be back for her birthday.

A great evening's work done by all. Serious kudos for getting stuck into one our somewhat smellier tasks...