Richmond I salute you !

Every week this year our team in red have left me in awe at just how tenacious you are about getting GOOD done! This week 21 of you carried that theme on. YES TWENTY ONE!! Great turn out spilled into the streets outside Wholefoods, largely donning their red shirt of HOPE which to me brightens a Monday in our community.

Our tasks this week (remember when it was just 1 a week) were for the Poppy Factory and supporting those struggling to find employment particularly at this time of year. The lovely Alice from the Factory visited us to explain just what a great job they do in our community supporting so many and helping so many get back into work.

As ever I truly recommend a visit to the Poppy Factory to see just how much they do and what a great historic banner of hope they have been since 1922. Twelve of you set out to spread the word with leaflets for them and meanwhile the rest of us (9) Gulped, took a deep breath and started getting our stride on for a 10k round trip to Richmond Furniture Scheme. A new task, an organisation nestled in the Richmond borough but away from the limelight of the centre, they are an awesome charity that restore, renovate and provide furniture to those that are in need financially. They have been in operation for some 25 years doing good in our community all this time and tonight we had the pleasure of being able to assist them, and even though I dragged some of you deeper into a run than needed you showed no dampening of spirit as you attacked the huge dirt pile, sanding task and table stripping. Thank you Sharron and your team for making us so welcome and getting us straight to business. Sorry Mandy we couldn't help with all the Christmas type tasks that you had laid out too but we were against the clock. Despite this we put a huge dent into the dirt pile, had the table ready for the next phase of restoring and well that chest of drawers looked a lot paler after we had introduced it to the emerey cloth ; )

Reluctantly we had to leave to make the distance back but at least we know where you are now Sharron so we shall be back in the New Year if you'll have us to crack on with the great many things you do there (as our runners loved a cup of Rosie Lee.)

Having got back slightly later than hoped we missed a few of the high flyers but heard some great tales of Monday madness that had unfolded in the centre of Richmond town. Now I will let Jenna step in with the finer details...

Oh where to begin, well when Mark asked “do all the leafleters know where they are going?” most of us gave a semi-confident yes. However we may have been telling a white (Christmas) lie! As we made our way up the hill some of us decided to go higher than others, we do love Richmond Hill but tonight some runners just couldn't stay away from it and ended up going in the wrong direction. 2 GG groups, laden with leaflets were running parallel with one another either side of Petersham Meadows. It is no surprise that there was a casualty (Amy, again I am so so sorry!) However we managed to get ourselves to the highest point of Richmond Hill, victorious but slightly bruised with one man down. Reluctant to separate again, we checked and double checked our maps to ensure we knew where we needed to go to deliver the 300 leaflets for such a good cause.

We split up and visited the beautiful Richmond homes, where trees stood in windows sparkling with baubles and tinsel, putting us in the festive spirit. The homes were so attractive to us that one runner was tempted to ask to be adopted by a Richmond resident. We resisted and continued on our quest distributing all of the flyers, one runner even managed to fit in some Christmas shopping pre cool down.

Way to go Richmond!!

Loads of news...

First of all, Holly did her first 10km! Congratulations and we all think you will definitely achieve your new timed goal on your next one ; ) . Amy great to hear about your Bushy 10km (when is your next one.)

Spear have a couple of events organised that we are all welcome to attend, first of all Anita mentioned “Feel Good, Do Good”which is yoga in Marble Hill park, Saturday 16th December, 7.30am to 9.30am, all donations go to Spear who support rough sleepers.

Secondly, Jane explained that Spear are in need of volunteers for the Kingston Carol Wagon on Wednesday 6th December, between 6-8pm, if you are interested contact supporters@spearlondon.org by tomorrow.

ETNA have invited us for mince pies and mulled wine on 18th December between 1-2.30pm, we need to RSVP so if you are interested please let me know.

The January challenge I mentioned last week (but forgot this week) - essentially we are competing with the other GG locations to complete the most good deeds and kilometeres collectively in January. To record this we need you on Strava listing all of your runs and you need to attend at least one GG run in January.

FINAL RUN OF THE YEAR is next week and it is a corker! So dust down your santa hat, pull on your red nose and of course your head torch and lets run, sing, do good, drink and be merry this Christmas. Our social is at One Kew Road after the run.

On a final note it was a night of “Welcome backs” Sara, Melanie, Jenny, Vicky and James and farewell to the lovely Helen. Best of luck in your new ventures. AND a big welcome to Jules on your first run with GG Richmond tonight, great to have you on the team.

Sleep well and see you next week