Tuesday 15th December 2015
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Tonight's run saw a final FAB FOUR left in Bath as many of our super runners have gone home for the festive season and with tonight`s task cancelled due to another event at the venue, it was time to put plan B into action and I have to say it was a great one considering the time of year.
The task took our fab four Rosie , Nadja and Sam a super 6k around the city centre handing out essential supply packs ( otherwise known as Vinnie packs) and backpacks filled with much needed supplies for the homeless on the streets of Bath for Julian house a charity set up to help the homeless in Bath.
The group took to the steps and headed down to the leisure centre car park where we handed out some essentials to a very appreciative couple who were bedding down for the night, Nadja offloading one of her backpack and Sam and Rosie giving each of them an essential supply pack containing hat, gloves foil blanket, toothpaste and brush and a pen. simple things that will help keep them warm on the cold nights. A lovely gentleman came with hot food , drinks and pet food for them at the same time, some of which we left on empty bedding with thought's of happy faces on their return.
The group then headed past Parade gardens where some homeless shelter but the gates were locked so we made our way out toward Waitrose car park and came across a lonely soul sat on the pavement, we handed out a supply pack and checked on what bedding he had for the night , he was grateful for our time to chat to him and pleased for the extra warmth before wishing us a Happy Christmas. This poor guy had been stamped on and kicked by drunks a few nights earlier. I'm blown away with emotions tonight.
We continued out towards Green park station via Kingsmead square to meet with a lovely homeless lady and her dog, Rosie gave her a soft fabric backpack filled with goodies and she commented on how it would make a great pillow, she was so pleased that we took time to chat with her and her little dog. A swift check of the area to make sure we hadn`t missed anyone the group took to the pavement back towards the subway and railway station where Steph took advantage of the extra weight the group were carrying with some overhead lifts and squats before heading down to manvers street car park to see if we could locate more homeless people on the streets of Bath.
A final spurt back up through the high street checking out doorways we came across a lovely guy and his partner Kathy with dog Millie, they had many bags but were very grateful for some essentials and a good chat, such humbling stories of how easy a persons life can change in a split second, Kathy featured in a channel 5 documentary last week and It really has been an emotional evening run with the group left speechless and feeling a little sad. We managed to catch a very young man passing us so Sam could offload his sleeping bag and essentials bags from our wise women, he was very appreciative but looking lost in the city.
A moving night run at Goodgym Bath with such an emotional task at this time of year and so sad to be saying goodbye to our lovely Nadja who is heading back to the Netherlands to continue her journey in life and maybe set up her own Goodgym, watch this space.
This was our last group run for 2015 but look forward to seeing old and new on Jan 5th 2016 to kick off the new year.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Steph
Tue 22nd Dec 2015 at 4:45pm
Brilliant task gang - well done all of you! Have a great Xmas!
Bath
Removing burden of de-christmasing from the residents