7 Merry GoodGymers and 1 Grinch (not me before you say anything, i'm referring to Rich's jumper) enjoyed a slap up meal and some tasty cocktails at Banana Tree to celebrate a year of good deeds and great friendships. Laurie bravely made it out of the house, leaving David in charge of the baby. Subsequent intel revealed that she got a pretty good nights sleep afterwards so is keen to have more socials asap. I'm sure we can oblige! Jess was suspicious of anyone (particularly Fay) who might try and Whamaggedon her. (All together now... "Last Christmas I gave you my heaaarrttt"...) She made it through the night unscathed though. Who is still in?! I went out on day one, not a great effort this year!

Well done to everyone who made the time to come along to tasks this year, it is really appreciated. One more task to go and we're back at St John's Church Hall for some more leaf clearing. You can sign up here If you can't make this one then hopefully we'll see you in the New Year!

7 Hearty GoodGymers braved the cold and set out into the night to pick up some litter behind the B&M car park.

Myself, Richard, Jane and Russell met at the old factory gym and discussed how we are hibernating a bit too much this winter and that we should maybe do a bit more. Richard spoke about his new job coming up and we celebrated him reaching his 50th Good Deed on Sunday while volunteering for Farleigh Hospice Santa Run. Congratulations Richard clap clap clap.

Collecting the litter pickers and bags from the gym we set off to meet Fay, Sallyann and Jess at the car park to bolster our litter picking group. with lots of chatting going on we filled 5 bags in no time and decided it was time to get back and warm up. After posing for a group photo we discussed this weekends coming events and who was taking (and not taking) part in them...

We bid goodbye to Fay and Sallyann who walked in. And to Jess and Jane who ran back to their respective homes. Richard, Russell and I jogged back through the city centre to the gym to put the pickers back.

Thanks for coming guys, you've made a little bit of Chelmsford that little bit nicer.

Next week Angela will be leading a leafleting run on Wednesday and then David will be leading a leaf clearing the week after. And then that will be it before we break for Christmas.

In January we will be doing our annual GoodGym January Challenge so if you can, we'll need every one of you to help us reach our targets.

Don't forget "If you move, log it on strava" and make sure you join GoodGym Chelmsford strava group. and do at least one good deed.. 😉

until then...

Run Happy

Rich

Jane was first to the gym, keen to escape her desk (even if it is opposite the pub). Richard had sprinted to get his interval training in. Andy arrived, refreshed from his holiday. We detoured a bit on route to the pub to avoid some of the traffic where the bag of leaflets were waiting for us.

Richard very kindly got the first (and only) round in (because we were just too efficient).

Sallyann slid on to the table like a ninja completing her 100th good deed!

Leaflets were bundled and folded so everyone will know about some excellent local schemes - Santa fun runs, panto, carols, Christmas tree collections, and the work by CHESS in the community.