Six GoodGymers descended on Critical Support after hours for our latest group mission. Some cycled down the River Wandle and others walked and it was a lovely evening for it too.

While The Felix Project's multi-bank delivery wasn't quite as large as anticipated, we quickly adapted our plans! We got stuck into a fantastic variety of tasks: meticulously moving a large batch of fruit bowls and toothpaste, expertly flattening a mountain of cardboard boxes, and giving the shelves and floor a thorough, sparkling clean. It was the perfect opportunity to flex our muscles and keep busy, leaving the hub immaculate.

Rain stopped play (or work) initially, as a thundery downpour soaked the garden, although full marks to Jade and Jo who kept calm and (tried to) carry on. Thankfully the deluge was quite brief and we could soon get stuck in clearing logs and stones in preparation for a new woodland display under the laurel tree, then digging it over, plus some general tidying and weeding. The garden is looking blooming lovely at the moment and the new insect hotel is the bee's knees.

Our third visit to Raynes Park station to help with the planting. After donning our high-viz jackets, it was all hands on deck to move the delivery of soil from the street up to the platforms, fill the planters and beds, then do the watering. Luckily we had a large turn out of loco-motivated volunteers for a heavy job, and the new recruits swiftly passed their training. A special welcome to Alex for her first task. After all that hard work, some of us let off steam over a swift half at the local pub - just the ticket.

This weekend, GoodGym stepped up to an impromptu request from Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah to support Sustainable Merton and the Merton Community Fridge e-bike team at the Colliers Wood pop-up tip. Our brilliant, last-minute volunteers made a huge difference!

As well as chatting with residents about GoodGym we handled local pick-ups and gathered feedback.

Highlights:

• Rachael chatted to residents sharing how GoodGym offers something for everyone, whether you run, walk, cycle, or simply want to be active.

• Jade went the extra mile (literally!), on her second run of the day, over to a nearby church, to help load an old filing cabinet into the e-bike trailer.

• Mike showed true dedication, walking to collect an unwanted electric Christmas tree, whilst the e-bike and trailer were in another job.

• Most excitingly, we salvaged four bicycles from landfill! These bikes were then taken in the e-bike trailer to the Full Cycle Bicycle Project, New Malden, to be refurbished and put back into the local community to get more people mobile - a truly circular success story!

Beyond these feats, we collaborated with the Labour Action Team (and wished Councillor Caroline a happy birthday!) and other volunteers as they collected surveys and helped with ad-hoc collections. Well done, team, and Matthew (Merton's Community Fridge e-bike team) for a fantastic effort and picking up a couple of new jobs for GoodGym as well 💪.

Tonight we returned to finish the weeding job we started on our last visit, with almost double the volunteers but with what seemed like half the tools (as these had been locked in an office in error).

Despite the tool-to-volunteer ratio challenge, the team were able to batch up and tackle different areas of the grounds, whilst chatting with the first timers (welcome Sophia, Clara and Jeff!) and catching up on the latest goings on.

Of course we absolutely smashed it, completing the job in the time available. Having filled 9 bags with green rubbish, we were suitably rewarded with a caterpillar (cake). Later on Sophia's mum arrived with her car, to collect all the bags and take them for composting. Thank you and that's a bonus 'good' deed for when she signs up 😉, we look forward to welcoming you to the team soon. Well done everyone!

Next week's 'group' task is at Raynes Park station on Monday (2nd June) at 7.30pm - shifting compost onto the platform, we need advance sign ups to arrange the SWR safety training (for those that haven't had the pleasure already; a bonus behind the scenes experience). Join us if you can: https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/help-friends-of-raynes-park-station-with-moving-compost-4264a7a8-3dbf-402d-98ed-f94a42becb5c