This evening we welcomed Goodgym first timers Desiree and Birgit, and welcomed back Louise who was proudly sporting her new Goodgym t-shirt.

Ella and Tav had news to share - both getting great PBs at the Hertfordshire Half over the weekend. Ian shared the community mission Emily has arranged on 10th December - Christmas carol singing at Tall Trees Care Home. He explained that singing doesn't need to be a skill, Goodgymers are needed to encourage everyone's participation, help to hand out festive instruments, such as bells and song words. The plan is to meet at Tall Trees at 6.15pm, wearing our Goodgym T-Shirts and warm layers. Sign up here.

Tonight's task changed last minute and after all was explained we set off on our way to Vineyard Street car park to help collect the planters from the barrier boxes. They needed delivering to the lovely Pam from Colchester in Bloom, so that she could bring them back to the allotment. However, upon getting there we discovered the planter boxes from the barrier boxes had already been removed, much to Pam's and everyone's disappointment, as it looked like they have been stolen. Keen to help we made our way to Headgate and removed the planters from inside the barrier boxes there and helped load them into Pam's car. Some of the group ran back to Pam's house, whilst Helen hitched a lift to warm her chilly paws! The rest of the group headed to Crouch Street to get all the planters from the barrier boxes at the top of Balkerne Hill. Many of us worked in pairs to carry the planters back to Head Street, but those wanting to give their arms a further workout carried them solo. We helped to load up the car twice more and then ran back to Pam's house to help unload. Pam thanked us for our hard work and let us know that there is still lots that needs to be done at the allotment, if anyone is available to help before our next Colchester in Bloom task mid-December.

Our work was not done, we then ran over to the Amazon Lockers at Lions Walk to enter a the codes Chrissie had been given. In these lockers were lots of presents that have been donated to Project Christmas - a project that allows those using Colchester Foodbank vouchers in the winter months to access present vouchers for each child in their household, so that they will have presents to open on Christmas Day. These present vouchers are brought to Emmaus and exchanged for gifts.

The boxes of gifts were then carried over to a space outside The Body Shop where we all got involved in a creative Twister themed fitness session! Everyone got involved and joined in with squats, lunges, knee tuck jumps and more...

We then made our way back to Leisure World, playing pass the parcel with the boxes of presents we needed to transport back with us, so that they can be dropped off at the Emmaus collection point with many other gifts Chrisse has collected through friends, family, fellow Goodgymers, 1st Rowhedge Brownies and more!