Everyone arrived perfectly on time, so after a quick photo opportunity, we set off in the sunshine to Chelmer Village.

We met Fay with a large quantity of expertly folded leaflets, for five local charities and set off down our first road to leaflet. Initially, we chatted about the quite large houses and spread out down the little turnings. As the leafletting went on, we kept finding ourselves in a confusing network of cul-de-sacs, before finding a main road, and then getting lost in more side roads again.

We firstly lost Joe and Sallyann down one side road, then Rich, Joe and Joel down another, followed by me, Erin, Rich, Joe and Joel down the last and longest maze of all. Seems like Joe was the main culprit for leading people astray (slightly alarming after me and Erin discovered a mutual fear of peril), and David, Andy and Richard were the only three who managed to stick to the main path.

After finding our way out, some of us went straight home, whilst Rich led the rest of the group back.

A couple of reminders:

We've got parkrun volunteering coming up on the 1st of July for those who signed up (still spaces for anyone who wants to volunteer), followed by breakfast for everyone who wants to join.

We're heading to the Chelmsford summer beer festival on Thursday 13th July, sign up and find the link to buy your entry ticket here

See you all soon

Laurie

12 GoodGymer's ran and walked to deliver leaflets for four local causes

We had a great mix of regulars, returners and a first timer for our second multiple leaflet delivery of the year. In particular, it was great to meet Erin for her first GoodGym session, welcome Doug back after a break, and Joe P for his third GoodGym of 2023.

Apart from Joel's surprisingly voluminous beard, the main news of the evening was Joe M's shock when I announced that it would be his 50th good deed, a brilliant achievement over the past 18-ish months. Excellent work Joe, can't wait to see your shiny black GoodGym t-shirt!

After jogging up to Chelmer Village, we saw the three familiar faces of Fay, Sallyann, and Roxy (in a nice new red GoodGym t shirt) ready with bags of leaflets to hand out.

We got off to a slightly concerning start, losing Martin for around 5 minutes in the first few roads, but he did reappear and confirmed that he had been quite lost. Rich continued to lead us around the maze like side roads whilst simultaneously discussing a fitness custard business venture with Joe M, and Richard kept running out of leaflets.

In total, we delivered leaflets to 400 houses, but no surprise with such a hardworking group, and I think the most people we've had since before 2020!

Well done and see you all soon,

Laurie

"Stay frosty, guys" once said the legend that is Muzzy Izzet.

And that's what we were on a glorious May evening about to embark on this Wednesday's run.

Tonight's task was to canvas some leaflets for Nightstop , Farleigh Hospice and Chelmsford Carnival. Fay had lovingly spent the afternoon turning them into convenient bundles making them easy for us to post. Thx Fay.

The usual chatty run through the city and park and we were in the westlands estate in no time with Fay there waiting with leaflets ready to be posted.

Splitting into 2 groups we made light work (again chatting as we posted) until all leaflets were distributed and then it was time to make our way back to base. Joe was unaware that Chelmsford had its very own miniature railway and we were more than happy to show him where the tracks lay.

Back to base, still in glorious sunshine we said our goodbyes for yet another job well done.

A big shout out to Jenny who is getting married this Friday, Have a great day Jenny and congratulations from us all at Goodgym.

Next week task will be a litter pick with the fabulous Laurie leading the way.

Thanks all for reading

Run Happy

Rich

woah-wow-we-wah! We kicked off the run with a guard of honour for Laurie who was completing her 250th good deed! Incredible achievement and the first Chelmsford GoodGymer to make it! I am sure she'd like to thank me and couldn't have done it without me.

After waiting for Jenny and doing a warm up to avoid certain death, we jogged to meet Fay and Sallyann near Telford place. The highlight of the run took place at this point, Andy started to strip off to show us his wings.

Grabbing handfuls of leaflets we headed to Springfield Road to deliver the Nightstop leaflets - a really great cause who have helped homeless youths have over 1500 nights off the street in the last year.

We wandered down the side streets - some lovely houses down there - not quite as fancy as Andy's ability to leave his heating all night though - but I'd take them. We gave out several hundred flyers and looped back to the university, stopping to take a picture with the elusive GoodGym flag, something Rich has been hiding for a couple of years...

Stay tuned for next week's task. At the very least we will go for a run together and maybe get an ice cream.

The streets of Chelmsford were hit by monster fever as Goodgym braved the zombies and cobwebs to deliver leaflets for Nightstop. And whilst we had fun the message is a serious one as many young people face homelessness and charities like DePaul try to help. Have a read: https://citylife.chelmsford.gov.uk/2021/11/03/volunteers-sought-urgently-to-host-homeless-young-people/

We started the evening with the good news that Goodgym in Chelmsford and Colchester have been nominated for the Strengthening Communities Award - https://www.activeessex.org/essex-activity-awards-2022/ . Anyone who has been to Goodgym in Essex has played their part...thank you!

So off we went to Moulsham, full of energy as Rich led the way and with speed and grace we covered a large residential area. Monstrous effort.

PS please leave comments of your proudest Goodgym moment to add to what David shared about The Sunken Garden at Broomfield Hospital.

Firstly a little about Nightstop and homeless young people i Colchester and Chelmsford: Depaul UK focuses on meeting the needs of young people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.https://www.depaul.org.uk/Depaul

Why are young people on the streets? In my experience it is a mixture of feeling unsafe and unwanted at home with austerity related problems such as lack of funds and resources in the social care sector. The risks of homelessness include criminal and sexual exploitation...the benefits of a safe place to sleep are huge!

So the four of us leap flogged our way from Forth Avenue to First on a sweaty and muggy evening - a few dogs barked, one house had a fake snake in a flower pot and we were amused by the predictable response of a resident who didn't want the leaflet!!!

Back at ARU we smashed a little intense relay with an 'active recovery'!!!