Tonight the goodgymers got together to help out our friends at Samye Foundation. One of the originals for Cardiff, and one dearest to our hearts.

We were split, the walkers meeting us at the task and the runners as usual from the Glassworks.

We had our warm up, counted the runners in and said our welcome to the newest person - Lucy.

CROESO

During the run a message came through for Michael, and it all changed. Due to dental issues, our organiser had to leave the location for the task. But as we know.......

goodgym doesn't quit

Upon arrival at the Samye Foundation, Michael had a quick look around, and hey presto, a task was born.

Gloves on, volunteers ready, let's go!

We weeded all along the raised bed at the front of the yard, around the seating area and in front of the building. We cleared up all of the fallen leaves, and then we used all of this natural material as a mulch back on the soil, just as nature planned.

Weeds became mulch

Leaves became worm food

And then it was time for home.

We got plenty done, considering the last minute change. Thanks to all for coming, and hope to see you again next time.

Nic, Michael, Martin and Flo all were down at Cardiff junior parkrun to volunteer. Cardiff junior parkrun was hosting a lot of extra new special guests. These were runners who had been expecting to do the Family Run the day before the Cardiff Half Marathon as part of the running weekend, but were left disappointed when it was cancelled due to the Storm Amy weather warnings.

These runners were able to take part at Cardiff junior parkrun instead, and experience the feeling of crossing a finish line to a cheering crowd.

I was out volunteering with the 'extra milers', who are well known for popping up at various running events. This running event in question was the 2025 Cardiff Half Marathon, which had sold out the previous year in a record 12 hours, and was expected to have it's biggest ever attendance.

I was at Water Stop Number 4, which is at the top of Roath Park. This is around Mile 11. We would be getting plenty of thirsty runners. No one would be unquenched on my watch.

The GoodGym-ers who were running the Cardiff Half Marathon did have their thirst relieved, either by me directly, or one of the other amazing extra-milers.

Well done to all the runners, and to all the other volunteers.

I went to Grangemoor parkrun to volunteer as a marshal. I was drawn to Grangemoor parkrun today for a very special reason. My friend Steve, who whilst not being a member of GoodGym, is still a good friend to those who GoodGym in Cardiff. Today he was achieving his 1000th volunteer credit at parkrun, something that very, very few numbers have achieved at all.

Steve helped do a course check, and I even saw him out and about early with gardening tools to make sure the course was super clear. It's dedication like that which gets you to 1000 credits.

Spotted while running the other side of the river, Nathan was concerned to see a lot of rubbish and abandoned shopping trolleys on the river bed of the Taff. With rain set to arrive on Sunday and stay for the week the Taff would rise, and all the rubbish set to be washed downstream. Nathan and Darren ran to the Taff trail, down to the river bed and quickly collected two bags of rubbish, to go with two trolleys and a car tyre. It wasn't a fully trashy afternoon as they spotted a kingfisher, heron and egret during the task.

Tonight's mission for the Cardiff crew, the same as usual

Do Good, Get Fit

Our task, helping at the Salvation Army with the overgrown bushes and grass. The "Northlands Life House" is a hostel run by the Salvation Army, its objectives;

We offer a safe, supportive environment for individuals, helping them make positive choices about their current circumstances. As part of our Young Person’s contract, The Salvation Army provides support and accommodation for young people who are experiencing homelessness, across a range of services in Cardiff

There was a lot of work going on at the hostel, with upgrades to windows and doors. The bushes had been left for a while, so needed some TLC to tidy up the look. Michael was double hatted for this task, as both the run leader and the task organiser. The jobs that were on for the day were,

• Tidying the buses
• Removing ivy from walls
• Cutting back bramles
• Strimming the grass section
• Collecting the trimmings in wheelbarrows
• Running the wheelbarrows to the compost heap

The team went straight into volunteer mode, as Michael passed out the tools for the night (he even jumped in to help, in between photos). 30 hard minutes later, we looked back at the work achieved, it was a great help to see things looking tidier with just the tops of the hedges left to trim.

We even had a special goodgym bush now, after the hard work of Jonathan and Lucy to create our heart bush.

Thanks to all for coming out on these darker nights, the hostel appreciates the hard work. See you next time.