Life essentials - Beds & Food!

Wow on Wednesday 10th February we had a record PB (Paul Bown) Camden attendance with 37 wonderful GoodGymers taking on 2 tasks.

The first 15 people to arrive went to the American International Church near Goodge Street, this is a homeless shelter for the local community. We left promptly and arrived for 7.10pm to meet Stephanie (Shelter Coordinator), she explained our task was to help make 17 beds for the homeless.

According to Stephanie we made the beds in record time! During the task we found out that two of those sleeping at the shelter were pregnant, so we made sure they had extra pillows! Everyone did a fantastic job in getting the place looking ready for the evening, Jess Cowan won neatest bed - boom!

Extra Pillows!

Stephanie and the shelter were so impressed they've asked us to come back - hopefully next week!

Once finished with the task we headed to Russell Square to get our gym on! The first part of the session was for everyone to demonstrate an exercise and for the whole group to do that exercise while the demonstrator runs an out and back. Over the 15 exercises we had all sorts including; side plank, squats, hip flexes and high knees.

After conditioning ourselves to the max we went on to do Pyramid Interval Training, which was quick running in segments of 1-2-3-2-1 minute slots which walking rests in between. Everyone did brilliantly and really got a sweat on! Once finished we ran the 1km back to Somers Town - nice work everyone!

Chalk Farm Run Report Written by Meredith:

Parlez-vous français, mes amis? This evening we had a 20+ strong group of GoodGym runners, led by the effervescent Frenchman Axel Manzano, gather for a second task to help the Chalk Farm Food Bank. Before setting out, Axel explained that we would be going to a "food bonk" and the resulting chuckles earned us a round of introductions -- and counting off by number -- in French instead of English.

After some triumphs of memory in GCSE French and some abysmal failures, we trotted off on a 2km route to the Chalk Farm Food Bank, where we shifted crates full of donated food down to a scale for weighing, and then back up the stairs for storing. After realising how inefficient our system was, we created a highly functional chain system to transfer the often quite hefty crates up a twisting set of stairs and across the main floor.

How do you say "teamwork" in French?

After completing our task, we ran another 2km back to Somers Town, depositing some of the Food Bank's cardboard for recycling en route. To cap off a great night of giving back, Paul Bown led us in post-running stretches while Liv Rowe, resident yogi, had us do a relieving side stretch.

Au revoir, until next time! --Meredith

Chalk Farm Foodbank Tweeted the following - Another amazing session with the lovely people of @GGCamden many thanks for your willingness to help your community #camden #everybithelps

Thanks for coming guys! Cheers to Becky, Axel and Pritesh for helping out! See you next week for Castlehaven and more Homeless Shelter.