Big chill, big group

31 runners braved the chill again last night to head to two big outdoor tasks.

It was a complex operation: Isabelle was leading one group to the Cranbrook Community Food Garden where task owner Lizzie had a number of gardening jobs and an urgent leafleting task. I was leading the other group to the Parkview Estate where task owners Catherine, Ros and Becky had prepared a huge gardening task of planting 1000 snowdrops.

And brilliant task force member Bryon was accompanying us with his small group to Parkview via Cranbrook to borrow some trowels, as resourceful task owners had pooled kit behind the scenes to help one another out!

It was a busy evening. We were greeted by Connie and Greta, Ros and Becky's young daughters who wasted no time is dispatching runners to three corners of the estate, ignoring the chill and the wind, with trowels, pots and the clearest of instructions.

Time sped by and before we knew it, Isabelle's group were informing us they were en route to our fitness session; Bryon's team were speeding to Cranbrook for a trowel drop, and Chi was leading the runners to Bonner Gate, the most atmospheric running spot in East London in winter.

The runners proceeded to speed through the greyhound-and-hare game and other speedwork before being put through their jumping squat paces by Chi.

We then sped back to the hotel for a quick stretch, before heading to the Fugitive Motel for our first monthly social, brilliantly organised by Isabelle, and fully supported by our wonderful task force. It was a lovely evening - fun, fitness-filled and thoroughly productive.

Big shout-outs

Welcome to Laura, who joined us tonight for her first run. Thanks for a brilliant evening, Laura!

Congratulations and the biggest round of applause to our very own, totally wonderful Leo and Steve who tonight both reached 50 good deeds. These runners both contribute a vast amount to the group every week, and Leo is a mighty addition to our Task Force.

Thanks to Bryon for stepping in behind the scenes to enable The Trowel Pick-Up.

Thanks to Chi for joining in the fitness delivery.

Thanks to Isabelle and Chi for pics tonight, and to Si for tonight's pun.

Thanks to Isabelle for leading the Cranbrook task, and for organising a well-attended, beautifully organised wonderful first social. Here's to many more. Talking of which...

What's coming up...

• Next week, we're back at The Royal London with Barts Volunteers, for our first hospital task of 2020! Read more and sign up here.

• And our next social will be on March 9th, so keep eyes peeled for details.

In the meantime, take care, and have a wonderful week.