Sam and I entertained ourselves whilst building Mr A's metal bed frame today with tales of previous bed related missions we've been involved in across various random parts of London - thankfully Mr A's bed making task will be memorable for (a) being exactly as described on the tin, with all the parts correctly labelled and provided, easy to follow instructions, a correctly sized Allen key, and the right amount of screws, washers and little plastic plugs to lock the slats in place, and (b) Mr A, who's English is limited, taking the time, once we'd completed the task, to compose and then translate a short thank you message on his phone for our efforts.

GoodGym January Litter Pick Report

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in January’s litter pick! Despite the rain, wind, and occasional challenges, you all stepped up to make a real difference in your local communities. It’s inspiring to see the creativity and dedication you bring to these events. Let’s take a moment to celebrate some of your amazing efforts: • Gosia braved the evening rain and windy conditions in her local area, collecting bags, cans, and bottles. She even stumbled across two broken umbrellas – proof of how wild the weather was! Taking photos in the wind wasn’t easy, but she powered through. • Paul Browning explored Elmstead Woods and noticed a big improvement compared to last month – less litter to bag, showing how impactful regular clean-ups can be! He also took his efforts to Chinbrook Meadows, ensuring no path was left untouched. • Sally and Jacqui fished crisp packets and beer cans out of the canal during their litter pick. And after all that hard work? They fittingly celebrated with crisps and beer at the pub – a perfect way to finish the evening! I enjoyed my litter pick with my dog Gus and I was amused to see a sign which said not today next to a piece of rubbish see photo! Says it all!

Every contribution made a difference, whether it was in Elmstead Woods, local streets, or along the canal. It’s this shared effort and sense of community that makes these events so rewarding. You’ve all helped to make your neighborhoods cleaner, greener, and better for everyone.

Looking Ahead to February

Let’s keep this momentum going! We’ll be hosting another litter pick in February, and we’d love to grow the numbers even further. Why not invite a friend or family member along? Together, we can have fun, get active, and continue to make a positive impact.

As always, it’s about more than just picking up litter – it’s about building connections, supporting our local areas, and showing what a difference we can make when we work together.

Thank you again to everyone who got involved this month. Let’s make February even bigger and better!

Best wishes, Paul