Becky from Kew Riverside School needed help. She had an overgrown garden area and a pond in need of some TLC, so that she could use the green space with the schoolchildren again. She had enlisted her boyfriend Charlie into lending a hand (or two), and called upon GoodGym to help her out. The duo were soon joined by three of West London’s finest - Richmond’s own Jack, Hounslow’s Michelle and Lucy from Hammersmith.

We all know how important being outside in green space is for our mental wellbeing, and the same applies for children. Becky explained that she wanted to make use of what that they did have at the school, but needed us to help it to reach its full potential.

We worked on the jungle that was growing around the pond, and were surprised to find a path underneath the overgrown grass and brambles! Michelle and Jack both got to business with choppers, lopping away at the overgrown brambles and branches, and trimming the grasses and reeds. Lucy took the front corner, and cleared the weeds and thorns away so Becky would be able to access the magic grey box which had been hiding behind a wild rose bush.

Charlie, our honorary GoodGymmer for the night donned himself in the rather fetching waders Becky had, and went for a paddle in the pond, hacking down the towering ten foot reeds. Good choice of boyfriend Becky - you always want someone you can depond on!

Time flew by on this warm summers evening, and after Charlie had made a ribbeting discovery in the pond of a camouflaged frog family, we cleared up the piles of reeds and weeds.

A big thank you from Becky and Charlie and we head off. We’d done a frogging good job, and hopefully she’ll soon have the outside space for the children she wanted.