A team of 9 GoodGymers supported the local food bank this weekend,
donating non-perishable food items to help make sure families do not go hungry #doingwellbydoinggood

Five Goodgymers went on a trek along the River Crane to tackle Himalayan balsam for the Friends of the River Crane (FORCE). On a humid summer day we dawned our long sleeves and trouser to pick the invasive balsam out from sky high nettles and brambles. It was prickly business. It seems endless but we managed to clear a large section along the Crane and go home to lick our wounds.

Happy 9th birthday GoodGym Richmond!

Celebrating nine years of keeping fit by doing good in Richmond at the riverside plot we take care of on behalf of Richmond Council. A sunny jog along the river, followed by lots of watering, weeding, clearing up and happy chatting as we went. And a biscuit to finish!

Thank you to all 591 people who have done a task in Richmond over the last nine years!

Seven GoodGymers came out on Monday to work on the River Crane. We donned our chest waders and ventured into the mirth not knowing how deep it would be. The rain earlier in the day had raised the River levels considerably but Ken (standing on the bank) assured us that it would only be up to our waists! In we went like moths to a flame…. We were here to manage Himalayan balsam for FORCE (Friends of River Crane) a global invasive species that chokes out natives. We saw them across the river in the reeds and got to work pulling out the annual before it set seed. Ken told us we are part of a experiment to use a biological control in time using a specific rust that infects the balsam but first we needed to dig out some to get the numbers down. And to that we had a great time yanking out the weeds in our waders!

Two GoodGymers turned up to set up the 118 Petersham Horticultural Show first time in Ham. We got stuck in lifting chairs, tables and putting up bunting for the 118 show on Saturday.