As Old Spike filled up with GoodGymer's, it signaled it was time to head out from the warmth and into the cold. There was just time for a reminder about the Christmas Party before we set off (11th December - 20:15 - Voodoo Rays)!

On arrival, the task was clear, we needed to clean all the toys to make sure they're clean for when they children play with them! Armed with the tools (soapy/dettol water and some clothes) the team set about cleaning every toy in sight. Even the sofas didn't escape a thorough clean, which is good because they needed a wipe down too!

A team of 4 went to sort the craft supplies, throwing out dried up pens, sharpening pencils and making sure everything was in a more organised order.

With not long to go and a lot of plastic balls still to clean and all the toys to get back into the cupboard, everyone stepped in to get the last bits done!

After a quick photoshoot and goodbye to task owner Valentina, it was time to head back to Old Spike which had the promise of Athletic Brewing beers.

Well done to everyone for tackling the 6km run with enthusiasm and also thanks to Daryl for leading us a much nicer route than I had planned!

GoodGym tasks are not just about getting active, supporting communities and lending a hand. Yes, they are all those things, but sometimes they can also be about stumbling across some extraordinary finds...

Just this week, for example, we were sorting out tools and donations at a local food waste charity in Wandsworth when we came across a flame thrower. The task owner claimed she used it to light her cigarettes, but we didn't question that one too closely. We've also cleared out storage cupboards where we found a Victorian dentistry kit and an abandoned wedding dress, worked by the river and spotted a real life message in a bottle, and during the course of litter picks we have uncovered several unmentionable items!

Help and safe-ty

Last night's session at St Andrew's Youth Club was one of those times we discovered something very cool. Our job for the evening was to help empty a full staff room and to shift all the items to various spaces around the building - which were mostly, unfortunately, up several flights of stairs. This amazing centre offers kids the opportunities to learn sports, music, arts and more.

The variety of different activities taking place in every room was inspiring. It also came with it an impressive level of music, voices and sounds from every single corner, which was perhaps what has prompted manager Adrian to transform the staff room into a sensory room for those that need some quiet.

Stairs in their Eyes

First it needed to be cleared. Out came dog beds and boxing gloves, computers and desks, clothes and sports gear. Then came the really heavy stuff. While Michelle and I took on a more 'strategic' role and loaded up the lift, Chalomi and Jacob took on the challenge of shifting some extremely substantial filing cabinets up the stairs. What a workout!

Meanwhile Ivo uncovered an incredible find which had been hiding underneath everything else. A very old, very heavy and absolutely massive antique metal safe, complete with beautiful hand shaped knob. What could be inside? While Adrian located the huge key we all stood back and waited expectantly to see what treasures lay within. What did we spy inside? The secret remains within the walls of the oldest youth club in the world - and you'll have to come along to the next task there to find out for yourself!

Shout out to all the different areas represented last night - we had GGers from Hounslow, Wandsworth, Southwark and Tower Hamlets and lovely to have the central team so brilliantly represented. Next week we're off to do some flyering for the brilliant local organisation FoodCycle to help spread the word about free meals for those who need it, and how to volunteer as well. Hope to see you there!

We witnessed a beautiful late summer sunset yesterday, and I had the joy of enjoying it alongside 15 wonderful folk :)

Ingestre Road Estate was where our group in red descended. Nestled a few minutes from Tufnell Park, this community housing is set amidst mature trees, lively flower beds, and a great-huge-magnificient (and hidden) woodland. We've helped out here a few times this year, and it was special to come back as we look towards Autumn.

Several of us (Alex T, Chalomi, Ivo, Jack, Jackie, Jenny, John, Marta, Sarah H, Steve, and I) started our evening with meandering run up and through the evening hubbub of Kentish Town - whilst several others (Darren, Emily, Jacob, and Sarah A) had made their own ways on foot and pedals.

Met by the wonderful Pete (who used to head up GoodGym Camden), we swiftly split into teams, each tackling a much-needed task.

We had Team Cut-the-Crap-Out-Of-The-Over-Grown-Area (consisting of Ivo, Jenny, Sarah A, and Sarah H), who absolutely transformed a patch of overgrown weeds and brambles across 30 strenuous minutes!

We had Team Tap>Water>Walk>Trees>Water>Repeat (consisting of Alex T, Darren, Emily, and Steve), who gave a newly planted woodland orchard of apple trees the water they deserve :)

We had Team Turn-Bog-Into-Pond (consisting of Jacob, John, and Marta), who shifted bucket after bucket of fresh sand to a natural water-draining pond, gifting it robustness ahead of the wetter months to come!

We had Team Bramble-2-Wheelbarrow-Ramble (consisting of Chalomi and Jack), who cut back oodles of overhanging bramble and who then traversed ramps, gates, and keen photographers as they carefully transported their towering barrow of cut thorns!

And we had our very own litter-picking maestro, Jackie, who bagged a huge pile of litter from both the estate and woodland :)

To top off our evening, a few of us headed to The Vine for a social natter, where we were also met by the wonderful GoodGym Greenwich AA, Rachel :)

Thank you to Pete for organising such a brilliant suit of tasks - and thank you, all, for your energy, work, and time - I appreciate it!

See you soon!

Just who is Dr Beckmann!?

This was the question filling my mind as I travelled home from yesterday evening's wonderful GoodGym evening.

I have not slept. I have exhausted my coffee supplies. But my research (via Google) is complete and I am pleased to present my findings:

1. I am not sure Dr Beckmann is a real doctor.
2. Their website is mainly composed of stock images of people looking amazed whilst pointing at cleaning products.
3. I am not sure whether Dr Beckmann ever actually existed.
4. The amazed-point-and-smile look is exactly the same as the look that glazed the faces of every GoodGymer who used the Dr Beckmann carpet cleaner yesterday.

I do not know what to do with these findings. But I have ordered 17 bottles of carpet cleaner.

Anyway! Onto yesterday evening!

A wonderful group in red (Caitlin, Chalomi, Ivo, Jacob, Lici, and Steve) met on the bridge by Barbican Station in evening sun, and we swiftly started catching up and made our running journey through the city, past Brick Lane, and over to Whitechapel. On arrival at the Brady Arts and Community Centre, we were met by the brilliant Emily and Giulia, and we ascended the two flights to our destination for the evening!

Since March, we've been redecorating a previously under used volunteer room at the Brady for the truly fab charity, Social Action for Health. I've included a few photos of how the room used to be! Over 10+ week-night and weekend sessions, we've removed brackets, learnt how to use polyfilla, sanded, painted undercoat, painted first coat, painted second coat, and last night, we were there to hang pictures, scrape paint spatters, and clean carpets.

Over 50 minutes, this awesome group brought new life to the carpets (they look great), blitzed paint from the tables and bookcases, and hung 5 pictures and 1 noticeboard, all of which make this room feel finished, fresh, and ready to use.

I am overjoyed at how amazing the room looks - and I know how grateful the whole Social Action team are - this simply wouldn't have happened without your time and energy :)

And a special mention to the wonderful Lici, who has been part of GoodGym since August 2016 when she moved to London with her family, and who will now shortly be embarking on another adventure back to Sydney. You are a joy to know, Lici, and your family and friends in Sydney will be so very lucky to have you closer again. We're looking forward to feeling jealous of your sun-soaked Aussie photos!! Please stay in touch!!