Our GoodGym Camden group are experts at running without colliding into passersby.

The employ several effective techniques.

Which include the swivel, the hop-and-side-step, and the zigzag.

I've seen our runners employ each of these techniques to great success on our weekly group runs through bustling Camden.

As one local journalist described our runners: as deft as a gentle spring breeze - they make urban running look relaxing*

But!

Our wonderful group (of Emilie, Jackie, John, Rose, Steve, and Will) didn't need to employ their anti-collision techniques this week.

Meeting in the calm of Regent's Park, we started our evening with a calm and quiet run around the park's outer circle and up through quieter streets to West Hampstead.

Having reached a healthy 5K and shared stories with each other, we arrived at the Sherriff Centre and were met by the brilliant Daisy and Gosia :)

Across the next 30 minutes, we donned gloves and grabbed litter pickers, and we cleared bag-upon-bag of strewn trash and litter - the perimeter (and trees..!) of the centre are a magnet for this, but we finished leaving it clear and tidy!

Thank you so much, everyone, for your time and work - I know just how much of a difference this makes to the Sherriff Centre's team!!

Here's to next time!!

*I might be lying

It was our first visit of 2025 to the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park this evening!

Ken, the Park’s manager of over 22 years, greeted us, and it was great for new and regular members to have a catch-up with him before we headed out for our task.

Welcoming the group one by one, we slowly made our way over to the tool shed to grab loppers, rakes and wheelbarrows.

As Ken loaded the wheelbarrows, GoodGymers took the opportunity to stash bags in the office, before meandering across the North West side of the park our task location for the evening.

Tonight we were clearing ivy from headstones and chopping back brambles in an area that needs a bit of preparation for a new footpath that’s being established.

Ken divided us into two teams to head back into the park, away from the headstones.

Barrows were filled quickly, and a dent made in the area in no time.

GoodGymers emerged time and again from the undergrowth with armfuls of ivy and brambles, pausing only to pose patiently for a photo, which seem to take an increasing amount of time, thanks to an ageing phone.

At two minutes to eight, we wheeled the last barrow around to the vegetation heap and gathered the tools.

We made our way back through the park and headed to the tool shed, and then to the front of the fence, for our final last photo.

It was a great start to the week. After a chilly few days, it was still a real treat to get together and lend a hand in one of our borough’s prettiest places.

And the shout-outs tonight to:

• Ruby, who joined us for her first task! Great to see you, Ruby and hope to see you again soon.

• Lobo, who brought doughnuts for the whole team, as part of his post-task, January Challenge pep talk.

• And to our brilliant task owner, Ken, who gave us another fun Monday night and a splendid pun.

Until next time.

Great to be back helping the residents of Nightingale Estate and well done everyone for braving the cold to join us!

We split in two groups this morning, one group helping to dig up, clear and cut back a communal garden patch which had been neglected. In no time the area was clear and ready for planting 🙌

The second group headed to the Estate's parklet to clear leaves and seperate it from the litter. When I caught up with them they were dragging an industrial size bag full leaves! Smashing it 🔥

Welcome Jess who was on her second good deed of her first goodgym day 👏

And great to meet Goodgymers from different boroughs joining us for this Funday Sunday Task.

Today's chilly London Fields junior parkrun had the support of 6 well-wrapped GoodGymmers to help bring 35 youngsters from start to finish line.

Rue took the role of Run Director today and started the kids off with an incredible Haka to warm up and get motivated for today's epic run. The children (and adults!) got into the spirit and had fun with it - with Rue making special note to respect the Māori roots of the ceremonial dance.

Check out the awesome images!

John, Nick and Jess took on key marshal positions around the course to keep our youngster running safely in the right direction. Sooz managed some precision timekeeping, and Louise (who had already run to parkrun!) bravely took on the role of Tailwalker. This week that required a lot of running, to pick up late comers and catch up with the tail of the course. A lot of kms picked up for Louise's January Challenge pledge!!

A big GoodGym welcome to Jess who came to her first session this morning - and headed on to the FUNDAY SUNDAY task straight after. Well done Jess!

Come along next week and join Rue again to enjoy some wholesome volunteering fun on a Sunday morning.