We had a full house for sign-ups for our group run and session at St Mungo's Hilldrop House this evening! Area Activator Simon met up with a lovely crew of runners outside the Arsenal Community Hub on Benwell Road this evening (including new starters Giulia, Claire and Michelle- welcome!). Together, we engaged in a warm up on the slopes surrounding the Emirates Stadium, and discussed our favourite "summertime drinks" as part of our count off (I believe Pimms, Sparkling English white wine and Victoria's incredible homemade cocktails were the most popular options!). From here, we ran approximately 1.4 miles over to Holloway Road, past the Cat 🐱 and Mouse 🐁 Library, and up Camden Road.

Upon our arrival, we were met with more of our North London team outside Hilldrop House. St Mungo's is a charity and care home for vulnerable men suffering from homelessness, and a safe hub for those afflicted by alcoholism and mental health issues. The crew who operate the service have been extremely busy, and do not have the resources to maintain the gardens, pathways and greenery surrounding the property. This is where Goodgym Islington stepped in to help out!

We picked up secateurs, clippers, brushes, rakes, garden forks and bags from the main reception, and spent about 45 minutes on renovating the green space for the residents of the centre. Our tallest runners (Alex and Victoria) helped with clipping away some overgrown tree branches around the main entrance to Hilldrop House. Emily and Guro took on litter picking duty, and cleared multiple bags of rubbish in a short amount of time (Camden Road is a wind trap for rubbish being blown across town). Josh, Katie, Francesca and Alison did a smashing job of clearing troublesome vines, weeds, invasive bushes and thorns from the surrounding plant beds at Hilldrop House.

We really made an incredible different in such a short amount of time- it really shows how much can be achieved with efforts of many over the course of an hour. Congratulations all!

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News

Post Group Run Social and Area Activator Simon's 3rd Anniversary!

After our group run to St Mungo's Hilldrop House next Monday, we will be visiting the Highbury Library on Drayton Park for a few refreshments. As well as being part of our monthly social, this event will also double up as Area Activator Simon's 3rd anniversary as a Goodgym Trainer for the Islington borough!

Sign up here to get involved:

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/august-social-the-highbury-library

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Elizabeth House Food Hub Summer Deliveries

The wonderful team at Elizabeth House Food Hub are looking for assistance from local runners, walkers and cyclists to help with their essential shopping and supply deliveries around Islington and Arsenal.

Come and join us on Tuesday 2nd August (6.30pm):

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/school-s-out-elizabeth-house-food-hub-deliveries

Tuesday 16th August (6.30pm):

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/school-s-out-elizabeth-house-food-hub-deliveries-0d6bd601-7257-47d4-95fc-50cc0cb6276b

Tuesday 23th August (6.30pm)

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/school-s-out-elizabeth-house-food-hub-deliveries-ce5b8a33-6627-40c8-8cb0-fd5a2ccc53fb