The day started with one dropped out (due to another engagement), two missing it (they overslept) and another (who wasn't even signed up) explaining why they couldn't make it.🤷‍♀️ Two of us marshaled and one ran at Valentines Park Run. Post Park Run we three GGR PR regulars, all from Hainault, decided to switch the social venue to our local...which turned out not to be open🤦‍♀️. In the end we had a mini social breakfast in a nice little local cafe 😋. We are adaptable and dont give up easy in GGR 😁

4 Good Gymmers and 4 friends of Frenford joined forces to provide 49 local families with extra food supplies this week.

A massive welcome to our newest GGR member and Foodbank Helper Nav. It was Nav's first mission and with very little training she was picking and packing like an old hand.

Linda was having a clumsy day and had to jump out of the way of low flying tins of tomatoes and Peter nearly got hit by a Milk carton that shot through a bag which didn't have a bottom in it 😬 Maybe a need for GG toe protector image wear 😂 Ed as always kept calm and carried on throughout.

The rest of the session went very smoothly and we even had time for a little tidy up before making our weary way home.

A windy morning meant a series of parkruns were cancelled, but the course at Valentines Park stood up to the weather - it was on!

I think it doesn't need mentioning what task Ed got assigned - Marshalling the car park entrance for the 202nd time?

Linda was initially busy sorting out unlocking the toilet block before reverting back to usual patient saint and walk with R.

After helping setting up the funnel and being told i'd scan, then Marshall, then scan, then tokens, I ended up having to dash to get to my marshalling location. Some of the geese were clearly not fussed about people, not giving an inch while strolling about, but no incidents nor upset birdsong!

5 GGR foodbank regulars turned up today to pick and pack for Frenford Foosbank.

Ed and Linda started setting everything up soon joined by AJ who was keen to start her last shift with GGUK before moving to the USA. AJ has been a keen supporter of GG food banks across the boroughs and has already scoped out food banks stateside so she can help out across the pond. 🙌🏻

Massive kudos goes out to Peter and Kathryn who gave up days off work to come help out, especially as Kathryn was under par due to dental work and also roped in her Mum to help. 🤩

Along with other volunteers we soon got 47 packages picked and packed ready to go just taking a small break to snack on Victor the Vegan Caterpillar (made from fruit as we've had too much left over cake lately) to help celebrate Peters belated 50th Birthday and AJ's forthcoming adventures 🤗

• same location - Valentines Park
• same 3 people available - Ed, Linda & Peter
• unfortunately not quite the same 3 tasks - Linda & Ed did, but after 2x tokens it was marshaling at the boat house instead for Peter the week

almost like a carbon copy of last week:

• Ed marshaling the main carpark for the 201st time
• Linda doing unofficial assisted/VI guiding (think she lost count how often)
• Peter doing tokens for 2nd week in a row

Will there be a hatrick next week?

Time will tell.

P.S. cudos to James C for helping to pack up after - better luck next time in the 'who rolls up the funnel tape fastest' contest

P.P.S. anyone know what the record is for volunteering at the same parkrun doing the same task?

As usual it was a great session at Frenford Foodbank. Good Gymmers and non members as working together as one big convivial team. Ed, Linda and Peter were there early busily setting up, before getting stuck into packing. AJ did a great job packing and mentoring some young-uns. Vicky cycled in and, despite being flustered from getting a little lost on the way, threw herself straight in to packing. Sharon did a sterling job calling some of the users to find out what they needed.

We were all finished and tidied up by lunchtime, well done to all of us 🥳. Sorry not many photos. I really must start nominating a photographer when I set these things up 🤦‍♀️

With Frenford getting last minute deliveries which needed to be sorted before Thursdays session we sprung into action to sort it out.

After much counting, sorting, lifting and shifting everything got put away. We finished with a quick tidy up and 5 minutes putting the world to rights.