GoodGym Barnet: Supporting Citizens Advice Barnet Through Fitness, Fun, and Community Spirit

This week, GoodGym Barnet came together for a festive group run with a purpose – supporting the Citizens Advice Bureau Barnet by delivering fundraising leaflets in East Finchley. Citizens Advice provides crucial support to underprivileged and vulnerable people, protecting their rights and ensuring they can access essential services. Many don’t realise that this vital organisation relies on grants, just like any other charity, to continue its work.

We were delighted to have two representatives from Citizens Advice join us at the start of our run outside our new meeting point,( thank you Louise The White Lion Pub. They explained why fundraising is so important and how our leaflet drop could make a real difference in reaching local residents. This was a repeat of our efforts last year, which resulted in a positive fundraising response—and we were more than happy to give it another go.

As we warmed up outside the pub, there was a great buzz as we shared our Christmas plans—everything from wild pond swims to binge-watching festive TV favourites. With everyone ready, we split into teams and set off into the cool December air, delivering over 300 leaflets through the streets of East Finchley.

While some of us ran in “Indian file” formation (always a great way to keep the energy up!), Dave and Ben led the walking team, ensuring every doorstep was reached. Leaflet drops always come with a few quirks—admiring local homes, cautiously listening for barking dogs, and navigating slippery garden paths. Safety first, as always!

The group smashed it, working swiftly and efficiently as two teams covered both sides of each street. Before long, we were back at The White Lion, where the walkers had already grabbed a well-earned drink. The pub was alive with atmosphere, and it was brilliant to unwind together over food and drinks. We were joined by some special guests, including Donald from Finchley Pastures and Alison and Warwick from Stephens House and Gardens—key community figures who, like us, care deeply about bringing people together.

This run was a fantastic way to round off a year of supporting great causes through fitness and teamwork. In 2024 alone, GoodGym Barnet has delivered foodbank donations, supported local charities, and helped countless community groups while building friendships, staying active, and having a lot of fun along the way.

Looking ahead to 2025, we hope to do even more to support local people and grow our community connections—but we need YOU to get involved. Whether you join us once or twice a month, you’ll have fun, get fit, and make a real difference. Bring a friend, drag along a colleague, or, as we like to joke, “blindfold and kidnap them”—whatever it takes, just come and join us in 2025!

We promise you’ll leave with a smile, a sense of accomplishment, and maybe a pint at the end. Here’s to another year of running, walking, cycling, and helping our community thrive.

goodGym member Penny SALMAN assisted in the arts and crafts Christmas market encouraging the reuse of materials for purposes of sustainability. It was a well attended event and Penny helped people create festive wreaths and hair scrunchies to use.

Five GoodGym runners were given Middlesex University air quality monitors to assess the air quality around them as they moved about in the month of October. All of them reported interesting results he is what George had to say.

Air Quality Monitoring Mission Report from George

Collecting the data was really eye opening. Barnet Council's Air Quality Action Plan marks the North Circular and Tally Ho Corner as some of the most polluted parts of our borough, exceeding WHO limits on particulate matter. However, the times I went to those areas, air quality appeared relatively OK, perhaps due to the wet and windy weather, which reduces particulate pollution. (I also learned later that our monitoring devices don't measure nitrogen oxides, which is the main pollution type from road traffic!)

However, going near smokers dropped the air quality quickly. Also, going climbing (which I love!) put me in a chalk-dusty environment with poor air quality. But the most shocking part was going on the tube.

Open air platforms were fine, but going inside a train carriage lowered the air quality. Underground, the air quality quickly hit zero on the Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria and Bakerloo lines because of PM10 - the large pollution particles, or soot, which you can see all over the tube. 

And waiting on a platform, arriving trains brought clouds of dust that triggered massive spikes in pollution. The highest reading I got was when two trains came in almost back to back (the first up the Edgware branch, the second one I was waiting for).

The highest reading I got a screenshot of was over 500μg per cubic metre of PM10. The app's measurements only go up to 250μg per cubic metre. I can't imagine how bad that is for your lungs, but I'm now wearing a pollution-filtering mask whenever I travel underground.

Last night’s GoodGym group run was a delightful mix of community spirit, fitness, and fun. We set out to meet Linda from the Friends group, who had requested our help to clear the area around the children’s playground and fitness equipment in Coldfall Woods.

The evening was warm and beautiful, perfect for a summer run. We gathered at the Phoenix Cinema, chatting excitedly about our upcoming holidays, before numbering up and setting off on a 4km run through the charming backstreets of East Finchley. Despite the heat, we took breaks to catch our breath and stay together, embodying GoodGym’s philosophy of social, inclusive running.

Upon reaching Coldfall Woods, Linda welcomed us and provided tools and bags. We spent a productive 40 minutes clearing weeds around benches and equipment, and picking up litter. It was rewarding to see the area looking tidier and more inviting for the community.

As the sun began to set, we headed back, the golden light filtering through the trees. We couldn’t resist playing a bit of frisbee on the recreational ground, laughing and enjoying the simple pleasure of throwing and catching as we ran.

We finished back at the Phoenix for a good stretch, savoring the last moments of the glowing sunset. Some of us then went to the pub for a well-deserved drink and a chat. To top off the evening, we watched the final of the freestyle relay event where Great Britain won the gold medal.

In our own way, we felt like we had won a medal too. Thanks to everyone who came out, ran, and helped make a positive impact in our community!