It was the last session of the day for Sevan and Kash, who were sporting hi-viz fashion for the third time this Sunday, and the first task today for Steph, who ran 12 km so far and wasn't deterred by the weather from wearing shorts!

The lane at 7 pm was getting quieter, and the barbecue delights were long gone. The intensifying rain scared off some visitors but the lights, music and small fun fair were still on. According to Rosie from the PCA, the Light Up the Lane event was pretty busy despite the gloomy weather - cheer and laughter at the lane were the best confirmation!

For Sevan and Kash the evening GoodGymming today felt like watching the morning session rewind:
1) The GoodGymers ran to Pitshanger Lane
2) They enjoyed hot beverages
3) They took the temporary wheelie bins out of the street
4) They untied the sandbags from the gazebo legs
5) They folded the gazebos into neat, compact pieces

In the evening sequence of events, the script didn't perfectly match the set-up task in reverse. Sevan, Kash and Steph didn't have to take down the barriers by the stage but had fun instead, removing the cones blocking the entrance to the lane. They were done with their part of the task in a bit less than an hour! Having plenty of energy left, they decided to run back to their homes and enjoy the rest of the evening in not-too-cool, dry places.

Sevan and Kash planned to support the Light Up the Lane event set up after Pitshanger junior parkrun, which meant an extended coffee break in the area.

The GoodGymers met other Pitshanger Community Association volunteers at the corner of Albert Road. The site of the already blocked Pitshanger Lane was overseen by pink hi-viz overlords (or overladies?) Rosie, Annette and Belinda, who floated between the barricades on their scooters like guardian angels.

Sevan and Kash joined the classic yellow hi-viz crowd commanded by Robert who was a natural leader in chaotic times. Robert knew when to do what and how to bring assurance and order into something that could have otherwise turned into a  bunch of random volunteers walking around with nothing to do.

The volunteers were working in loose teams of six, putting up gazebos and quickly learning how to turn their squads into well-oiled machines. Tasks involving the use of telescopic poles, sandbags, cable ties and velcro became a routine after the first gazebo stood proudly, assembled and ready for the event.

Close to 1 pm the volunteers turned themselves into bin men and women and distributed the wheelie bins on the lane. The last task was to put up barriers around the stage. After that job, Sevan and Kash supported the local business again by treating themselves to hot chocolate which nicely warmed up their freezing fingers. They ran back home afterwards but will be back in the evening to see the event and, most importantly, help take down all the stalls and barriers they set up.

Three runners from GoodGym Hounslow joined up with a GoodGym Ealing runner last night in Ealing to support a local residents association with packing down a Christmas market.

Andy, Mikaela and Michelle met up with Michael and the Pitshanger Community Association (PCA) to provide some extra manyule labour, taking down staging, gazebos and tables after the PCA’s annual ‘Light up the Lane’ Christmas themed community event. The PCA raise money throughout the year to enable the local community to come together and enjoy the event for free.

It was a chilly evening in west London so we’d come prepared with gloves and Santa’s hats, to lend a hand lifting and carrying like all good Santa’s helpers do. The organisers were pleased to have our support and hear about the work GoodGym does in the community across London.

We were put to work straight away and after an hour of quick work we’d dismantled all of the stands working together with the PCA volunteers.

It was a chilly evening in Ealing but a delight to help Pitshanger Community Association keep the roads safe during their Light Up The Lane event!

Myself and Jenni froze traffic (and our toes!) on Queen's Walk while Michael manned a road block on the south side of Pitshanger village.

Luckily we had no dramas and some very cooperative drivers so the hardest part of our job was keeping warm! Lots of lovely residents said thank for for our help and support throughout the evening which was lovely, great to see the community coming together for things like this!