10 runners ran 10km to help Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington.

With a longer run ahead of us we didn’t hang about tonight - not even for a glass of water!! With a swift warm up outside Wholefoods to get our muscles going and a quick game of knee tag we commenced the wet & squelchy run down to the river & along to Petersham. With all GoodGymers donning their head torches the light guided us safely along the riverside to Ham House and then on to Teddington Lock, arriving at Landmark Arts Centre.

Landmark Arts Centre offers a year-round programme of concerts and other live events, exhibitions, fairs and arts classes in Teddington. The charity's historic building was the backdrop for our task this evening since the centre had received a new addition to their gardens in the form of a very impressive Angler Fish sculpture. Designed as part of a Plastic Free Schools Competition run by City To Sea (a not-for-profit campaigning to prevent plastic pollution at source) and their partner Robeco. Schools were asked to design a sculpture that helped raise awareness of the problem of plastic pollution and encourage people to change their habit by switching from bottled water to a reusable. The winning design was created by a pupil of Teddington School & the sculpture was crafted by a local artist made entirely out of plastic water bottles, complete with STOP sign, which certainly makes you stop and think. The Angler Fish had been on display in central London but has returned to Teddington where it started its journey.

Equipped with tools, secateurs & gloves we quickly got to work with clearing the area of weeds & fallen leaves & having a general tidy, before laying down wood chips so the sculpture could take pride of place in its new home. We also trimmed back the hedges surrounding the gardens to allow for passers-by to view the awesome Angler Fish.

With the long run ahead, we managed a quick group shot in front of the award winning sculpture before returning back along the river with a renewed awareness of its importance to us all and the need to protect it.