Did you know that new research done by some very clever scientists has revealed that one hour of running may add seven hours to your life. So let's do the maths. 90 minutes a week of GoodGym running must mean at least an extra day. More if you include the benefits of doing good for your community. My highly scientific calculations means that if we keep doing Goodym runs, we're going to live forever. Lovely stuff.

We had two fantastic new runners join us last night. Give a huge GoodGym welcome to Dave who may or may not be a 60s pop legend of the same name (although if he is he is looking remarkably well for it), and to Claudia who absolutely breezed through her very first run - even though it was a whacking great 4 miler. Heroes! Give them a cheer.

After a little warm up, we set off for our task tonight with a nice two mile run along the river. There was some discussion about park run tourism with both Donna and Dave (who has almost 140 park runs under his belt!) doing some great PR tourism. Apparently Gunnersbury is the one to beat, but Hampstead Heath is perfect for hill training. Speaking of which, the power of hill sprints cannot be underestimated, and we stopped along the way for a few little ones to add some meat to our run.

Before long we had arrived at our task for the evening at the amazing Friends of Cathya shop. This incredible charity supports people suffering from enduring mental health problems and helps them explore their creativity in a safe place. We were greeted by the lovely Rin, Carl and their little dog Bruce, who, I think it's fair to say, did not take an immediate shine to us GoodGymers. Next time we'll bring treats. We followed them through the front of the shop to find an enormous Aladdin's warehouse of donated goods. Our job tonight was to start clearing the back yard to create a bit of space. The team set to work, helped along by a few (not so little) furries who had made the yard their home. Matthew declared them 'cute'. Some of us definitely did not agree. Before long, we had sorted scrap metal and made big piles of rubbish and recycling, meaning we were able to open the doors and create a clear area. We'll be back soon to finish the job!

Waving goodbye to Rin, Carl and Bruce Matthew who is on the cusp of his 50th good deed - give him a cheer! - and Claudia set off for home, with Donna and Dave leaving shortly after to try and chase them down. We finished off the run with a few out and back sprints - so tough at the end of the night, but the team smashed them out.

A great run as always everyone, and a good job for a brilliant community organisation. Is there a better way to spend a Wednesday night? I haven't found it yet! For more of the same next week, sign up here. See you then!

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/hounslow-needs-you