Myself, Pippa and Justine arrived on a slightly damp and cold Saturday morning all really keen to do some good.

A moment of panic ensued when we couldn’t open the back door to Mrs S garden! We put our three heads together and success we got the door open.

It’s always fun playing with toys after we had the grass strimmer ready we got stuck into cutting back the grass, de-weeding and a general tidy up.

Missions aren’t all about work you also get to play on the swings as well!!!

Cheery Mr P met us with a smile and told us he and his wife have supplied the nearby Hindu temple with the sacred healing plant Tulsi for years,

"it's free and it's for everyone - whatever their religion," he said, pointing proudly at his greenhouse.

Mr P's garden is huge and features all kinds of exoticisms, including almond trees and fig trees.

We set to work on trimming the trees and fertilising them with bonemeal. Mr P offered an interesting tip for gardeners who want to ward off cats and squirrels.. filled water bottles strewn across the soil. Yes, we're not sure how it works either, but it does.

After another hour of so of de-weeding the garden and tackling some stubborn moss, we took a brief break for a steaming mug of tea - a welcome warm up in the rain.

Mr P's garden is now much tidier and ready to bloom again in season. And Wembley has less weeds!

Two Goodgymmers helped Ms E tidy a blanket of leaves from her garden.

Islington and Haringey Goodgym runners Steve and Niamh (who was on her very first mission!) arrived Saturday morning prompt and prepped to help Ms E reclaim her garden from a hefty blanket of autumn leaves.

Leaf It Out, Mate!

Ms E moved into her lovely flat when it was first built and remembers the comings and goings of different people, friends and family around the area. She also remembers some saplings being planted just beyond her garden wall which are now huge mature trees cheekily dropping a lotta leaves in her back garden this time of year.

Seeing is Beleafing

Ms E was warm and welcoming, and had some tools and bags ready for us. She put on a coat and blanket and sat in the doorway watching and chatting to us the whole time. Niamh and Steve jumped right in and began to uncover potters and lovely flowers and herbs, and soon we could see the garden’s edges and it felt more accessible and tidy in no time.

Don’t Leaf Me This Way

After a good hour and with seven bags filled, Ms E invited us in for some lovely tea, biscuits and cake. She is not just a kind host, but shared stories about the area and her time in the flat. She was very grateful for the help, and there might even be a repeat mission when the rest of the leaves are down.

As we said goodbye and set off, Niamh said ‘right, I’m definitely doing this again!’ Congrats on your first mission, Niamh!