Tuesday 18th April 2017
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Report written by Katie Welford
30 awesome runners tackle some hill running and a task in Camberwell supporting young people who have been homeless
The evening had taken a slightly chilly turn but that did not stop 30 brilliant Lambeth runners from turning out to do some serious good. After a nice warm up we split off into two groups:
Group 1 headed 3km each way to Camberwell. We were off to support Springfield Lodge in Camberwell, which provides accommodation for 40 young people aged between 16 – 21 years. Not just a place to sleep, they also help residents to improve their self-esteem and employment prospects. The Lodge has an area that needed clearing, including moving a shed, so that an allotment space can be created. Residents can grow their own fruit and veg to encourage healthy living and a connection to the place they live.
We got straight to it, moving the shed in seconds and then digging and clearing the leaves and soil. A smaller group moved a load of bricks and people took it in turns to smash them up with a massive hammer.
Don't forget your safety goggles! Said Katie
I have so much pent up aggression to get rid of, this is so therapeutic! Said everyone else
Once we had sufficiently WOWED the staff with our quick work, we sped off into the night, with Megan leading us a better route home than Katie's wonky outward journey. Great work one and all....
Group two ran up to Palace Road Nature Gardens... Team nature gardens navigated the Brixton high street and Brixton hill with ease. In total we trekked 3 km to meet Jerry and get tidying the nature gardens. Unfortunately for us, Jerry was not there to meet us after getting a bit confused about our meeting date. So we had a fun but fruitless trek around the gardens in search of the main man, only to be left empty handed! All that was left was a trip to one of south London's finest parks - Brockwell - to do some hill training drills. We managed 4 interval runs up the hill each time pushing it harder and harder. Afterwards we then headed back to HQ to do some good stretches. All in all we managed over 4.2 miles so although there was no good deed, we certainly did some good running. Nice one team.
This small nature garden was created in the 1980s. It provides a varied habitat of both an open grassland and a wooded area of exotic and native trees. The pond attracts dragonflies and damselflies flying above and frogs and newts swimming below. Gerry always needs a hand to keep the paths clear of brambles and weeds and to make sure the public space can be enjoyed by everyone.
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Clothes will go to refugees, rough sleepers and vulnerable families