Expresso yourself

This evening we were lucky to welcome the lovely Paula who is Digital Media Officer for South Downs Leisure who manage Splashpoint Leisure Centre. Paula had arrived to do a live facebook feed for us so that our love of GoodGym could be shared with their 10,000 plus members . Check out the footage on their facebook page and look out for an influx of participants next week :)

During last week we had 2 notable events to report to you all . Firstly 2 new members sign up for their red shirts ! Lucy whose photo you will see but who couldn't make it tonight and Jay who arrived for his third in a row task . Secondly Belinda has signed up to be a member of the local task force. this provides support to both myself and our local group. Belinda has already sprung into action with organising a park run takeover to raise awareness of GoodGym locally. Thank you so much . All support is gratefully received including writing the run ( pun ) report if you fancy it ?! ( just remember to write in word first !

This evening we headed back to Stepping stones homeless hostel owned by Worthing Churches.Started in 1991 by four local Christians who took soup, blankets and sleeping bags to the seafront to local homeless people. From this small beginning Worthing Churches Homeless Projects was born. Now they work across Sussex in Worthing, Littlehampton, Horsham and East Grinstead and have grown to over 100 staff and 300 volunteers. We provides a range of services, which offer opportunities to regain independence.

Worthing Churches Homeless Projects believe that everyone has the right to a home, regardless of the difficulties and issues they may face in their lives. They believe in showing those who need our help, that the wider community are there to support them and to offer hope for a better future.

The work undertaken by Worthing Churches Homeless Projects is crucial to people who live in their accommodation receive the specialist support they need to ensure their recovery. They empower homeless or insecurely housed individuals to achieve sustainable independent living.

GoodGym like to support the projects in the best way we know and that is to throw energy and dood deeds their way.

With this in mind 8 of the best GG runners set off on the 2 k warm up run to Stepping Stones. Nick , Paul and Jay set off at pace followed by Tamsin, Belinda, Sue, Barbara and an injured Gill on her bike. Front runners together with back markers all united together to be warmly welcomed by Mary at Stepping Stones. We wasted no time in setting to work with a variety of tasks across the extensive character filled garden and vegetable patch.

Lawn and order

After a few minutes set up of mowers and power leads being sourced and connected Paul and Jay mowed the grass whilst Tamsin set about strimming the edges.

Paula had also joined us for part 2 of the facebook feed and photos together with pitching in to help with the gardening. You are welcome back anytime Paula! Being a corner plot this naturally divided the group into 2 so Paula certainly had her work cut out to cover all angles!

Best buds are minted

Belinda , Sue and Barbara started off with weeding the prolific mint bed. Nick was energetically raking the beds whilst Gill was busily filling bags with debris .

With time running out the team switched to the prickly matter of the pyrocantha in the front garden together with further weeding and hoeing.

All the grass cutting and foliage went on the growing compost heap so we left no evidence of us being there except for the completed makeover just 30 short minutes later. With 9 of us working it achieved the equivalent in time of 4.5 hours labour time hence the saying 'many hands make light work'

With thanks, farewells , photos and facebook feeds we departed for our run back.

Charlie ( aka Jay ) and his angels

With Paul and Nick peeling off to do other stuff it was left to Gill on her bike to pace Jay back to the outside gym just past Splashpoint whilst the angels followed in pursuit.

We arrived at the outside gym and with a stunning view of the sea the remaining team gave great effort and commitment to the slightly extended fitness session . Core,strength and cardio drill completed another fine evening.

Well done team!

Here's to the same again next week. Please note that we are meeting at WORTHING LEISURE CENTRE next week 20/8 to visit The Rowand day care centre which provides rehabilitaion to bain injured patients.

All the best

Julia:)