Matt Burton
294
Good Deeds
Workouts
509
Cheers given
4608
Cheers received
1307
Member
Doing good since July 2019
14 Month Streak
Latest activity
Matt Burton went on a group run
Mon 4th Aug at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
5 keen Goodgym runners joined Area Activator Simon at the Arsenal Community Hub last night, to enjoy a group run up to the lovelySunnyside Community Gardens near Elthorne Park. Upon our arrival, we caught up with Eslam and the rest of our team, enjoying a warm Summer's evening in a pretty green space.
Shovels, forks, wheelbarrows and hose pipes were gathered up in advance, ready for a big Goodgym task! Our objective for the evening was to move the entire contents of a large compost bay, and then sieve through the soil to remove large twigs, branches or forgotten coffee sacks. The twigs were moved to a secondary compost bay, to allow them to break down over time.
As we rotated the soil, Michelle helped with spraying down the compost with water, to help with mixing the materials together (the soil has become very dry, and we needed to use forks to break it up). It took about 40 minutes for our team to remove the compost, but only 10 minutes to shovel it back into place- well done everyone l!
As as a Thank You for our hard work, Eslam invited us to the Sunnyside Community Gardens allotments and greenhouses, across the road from our work space. A hidden treasure trove of fresh vegetables, and community grown produce! We were even allowed to bring a few pots of callaloo back home with us!
Thanks again for a great evening.
Next week we will be at Elizabeth House Food Hub (meeting at 7pm)- more details below!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN AUGUST
Community Mission - Elizabeth House Food Hub 7.15pm, Monday 11th August
Group Run- Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 18th August
Bank Holiday Special Group Run- Parkland Walk Plogging with Camino Ultra and Trash Free Trails 6.15pm, The Woodman Pub, Highgate Monday 25th August
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Post Group Run Social August- Someday Canteen, Finsbury Park
Monday 25th August, 8.15pm, Someday Canteen, Finsbury Park
Area Activator Simon began leading sessions for Goodgym Islington 6 years ago, taking the reins from Goodgym legend Paul Bown (still active in GG Sheffield). We invite you for good food, excellent refreshments and fun times!
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Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions
Every Thursday, 6pm, Various London locations
On Thursday evenings, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location.
Here is a list of our upcoming events and sign up pages. Runners, supporters and guides of all abilities and experiences welcome!
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 7th August
Paddington Rec Track Maida Vale Thursday 14th August
Hyde Park Lancaster Gate Thursday 21st August
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 28th August
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 4th September
Paddington Rec Track Maida Vale Thursday 11th September
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Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 5th July, 12.45 - 1.15pm, Elizabeth House
On Tuesday afternoons, during term time, the team at Elizabeth House Food Hub have requested for an extra pair of hands to help with cleaning and tidying up their donation centre.
Expect some satisfying sweeping and surface cleaning to assist this busy team!
—----------------------------
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 9th August, 10am - 1pm, Union Chapel, Islington
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
A friendly gardening group started to look after the park about 10 years ago. We are always looking for more help - with planting, mulching, pruning, and all the other things a garden needs.
Everyone welcome, no special skills needed! Lots of fresh air and a nice chance to meet local people. We meet once a month on a Saturday morning near the shed in the middle of the Gardens.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/compton-terrace-gardens-volunteer-open-morning-august
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Golden Olden Community Gardens - Monthly Volunteer Open Day
Saturday 16th August, 10am - 2pm, Opposite Whistler Street, Islington
Olden Community Garden is a charity that maintains this lovely green space, with the object to promote a community garden for the benefit of people living or working in the London Borough of Islington. Olden Garden gives local people opportunities for education and recreation, with the aim of increasing involvement in the community and reducing isolation.
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Penn Road Gardens - August Volunteer Day
Sunday 31st August, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens
Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road.
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Camino Ultra Epping Forest 50km and 25km Eco Trail- Aid Station Superstars 2025!!!
Sunday 4th October, 9am onwards, Rangers Road, Chingford
DaznBone (aka Darren Strachan and David Bone) and the Camino Ultra team are putting together the logistics for their next 50km ultra race (running from Wanstead Flats, up the green corridor to Epping Forest and back), and have invited the Goodgym crew to get involved!
On the course, there will be 4 major aid stops, and we have been invited to take over the first refresh point and the penultimate aid station.
This will involve providing water and snacks to runners of all abilities during the key stages of their race, and to support them with smiling faces and enthusiasm!
Matt Burton signed up to a group run.
Mon 4th Aug at 6:45pm
Updated task! Now visiting Sunnyside Community Gardens!
Read moreMatt Burton went on a group run
Mon 28th Jul at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon was thrilled to have 9 Goodgym Runners and Walkers (including first timer Deirdre - welcome!) join Goodgym Islington for our first plogging session of 2025!
What is "plogging"?
Plogging is a fitness trend that combines jogging with picking up litter, originating in Sweden. The word is a portmanteau of the Swedish words "plocka upp" (pick up) and "jogga" (jog). It's a way to stay active while also contributing to a cleaner environment.
Together, our crew ran up the Gillespie Park Nature Trail after a warm up on the Emirates Stadium slopes. On route, we stopped to enjoy fresh blackberries, and to coax a huge cat to say Hello to us! We approached Finsbury Park, and spotted more red t-shirts in the distance, waiting for our running team at the newly renovated Finsbury Park Skatepark Plaza.
Area Activator Simon pulled out foldable litter pickers, black bags and sturdy gloves from his big running bag of wonders, and explained the proceedings for tonight's task. In three groups of three, we set about walking around the perimeter of Finsbury Park, picking up as much litter as possible. These particular sections of the park are often hard to access by the grounds team, and debris from picnics and parties often gets blown over here by the wind. Our objective was to fill nine bags of rubbish within about 40 minutes.
Team 1 scoured the main pathways towards the Finsbury parkrun start line, Team 2 headed towards the children's playground and duck pond, while Team 3 got stuck in by the fences next to the skatepark. The areas that are less frequented by the public are always the spots that become over run with litter - Team 3 had the biggest task on their hands, and we all pitched in before the end of the evening!
Great work everyone. We received some lovely comments from visitors in the park, appreciating our efforts. A smashing way to spend a summer's evening!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN JULY / AUGUST
Group Run- Market Road Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 4th August
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-market-road-gardens-with-elizabeth-house
Community Mission - TBC 7.15pm, Monday 11th August
Group Run- Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 18th August
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN JULY / AUGUST
Group Run- Finsbury Park Plogging, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub, Monday 28th July https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-finsbury-park-plogging-run
Group Run- Market Road Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 4th August
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-market-road-gardens-with-elizabeth-house
Community Mission - TBC 7.15pm, Monday 11th August
Group Run- Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 18th August
—------------------------------------
Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions
Every Thursday, 6pm, Various London locations
On Thursday evenings, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location.
Here is a list of our upcoming events and sign up pages. Runners, supporters and guides of all abilities and experiences welcome!
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 31st July
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 7th August
Paddington Rec Track Maida Vale Thursday 14th August
Hyde Park Lancaster Gate Thursday 21st August
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 28th August
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 4th September
Paddington Rec Track Maida Vale Thursday 11th September
—--------------------------------------
Learn to Guide Run Workshop with Achilles International
Saturday 2nd August, 11am - 1pm, London Aquatics Centre, Stratford Olympic Park
Would you like to try guide running for visually impaired athletes?
Or would you like to refresh your skills for safe guiding practices?
Would you like to learn more about where guide running can take you, and about the VI running community?
Achilles International UK chapter leader Chris Blackabee and a team of experienced guide runners would love to invite you to a special introduction session.
Perfect for first timers and experienced guides looking for extra development opportunities!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/learn-to-guide-run-workshop-with-achilles-international
—--------------------------------------
Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 28th July, 12.45 - 1.15pm, Elizabeth House
On Tuesday afternoons, during term time, the team at Elizabeth House Food Hub have requested for an extra pair of hands to help with cleaning and tidying up their donation centre.
Expect some satisfying sweeping and surface cleaning to assist this busy team!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/elizabeth-house-food-hub-lunchtime-sweep-up-task-1c8894c6-e23c-4176-830e-462a583308b8
—----------------------------
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 9th August, 10am - 1pm, Union Chapel, Islington
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
A friendly gardening group started to look after the park about 10 years ago. We are always looking for more help - with planting, mulching, pruning, and all the other things a garden needs.
Everyone welcome, no special skills needed! Lots of fresh air and a nice chance to meet local people. We meet once a month on a Saturday morning near the shed in the middle of the Gardens.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/compton-terrace-gardens-volunteer-open-morning-august
—----------------------
Golden Olden Community Gardens - Monthly Volunteer Open Day
Saturday 16th August, 10am - 2pm, Opposite Whistler Street, Islington
Olden Community Garden is a charity that maintains this lovely green space, with the object to promote a community garden for the benefit of people living or working in the London Borough of Islington. Olden Garden gives local people opportunities for education and recreation, with the aim of increasing involvement in the community and reducing isolation.
—---------------------------
Penn Road Gardens - July Volunteer Day
Sunday 31st August, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens
Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road.
—------------------------------------
Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions
Every Thursday, 6pm, Various London locations
On Thursday evenings, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location.
Here is a list of our upcoming events and sign up pages. Runners, supporters and guides of all abilities and experiences welcome!
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 31st July
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 7th August
Paddington Rec Track Maida Vale Thursday 14th August
Hyde Park Lancaster Gate Thursday 21st August
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 28th August
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 4th September
Paddington Rec Track Maida Vale Thursday 11th September
—--------------------------------------
Learn to Guide Run Workshop with Achilles International
Saturday 2nd August, 11am - 1pm, London Aquatics Centre, Stratford Olympic Park
Would you like to try guide running for visually impaired athletes? Or would you like to refresh your skills for safe guiding practices? Would you like to learn more about where guide running can take you, and about the VI running community? Achilles International UK chapter leader Chris Blackabee and a team of experienced guide runners would love to invite you to a special introduction session. Perfect for first timers and experienced guides looking for extra development opportunities! https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/learn-to-guide-run-workshop-with-achilles-international
—--------------------------------------
Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 29th July, 12.45 - 1.15pm, Elizabeth House
On Tuesday afternoons, during term time, the team at Elizabeth House Food Hub have requested for an extra pair of hands to help with cleaning and tidying up their donation centre.
Expect some satisfying sweeping and surface cleaning to assist this busy team!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/elizabeth-house-food-hub-lunchtime-sweep-up-task-1c8894c6-e23c-4176-830e-462a583308b8
—----------------------------
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 9th August, 10am - 1pm, Union Chapel, Islington
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
A friendly gardening group started to look after the park about 10 years ago. We are always looking for more help - with planting, mulching, pruning, and all the other things a garden needs.
Everyone welcome, no special skills needed! Lots of fresh air and a nice chance to meet local people. We meet once a month on a Saturday morning near the shed in the middle of the Gardens.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/compton-terrace-gardens-volunteer-open-morning-august
—----------------------
Golden Olden Community Gardens - Monthly Volunteer Open Day
Saturday 16th August, 10am - 2pm, Opposite Whistler Street, Islington
Olden Community Garden is a charity that maintains this lovely green space, with the object to promote a community garden for the benefit of people living or working in the London Borough of Islington. Olden Garden gives local people opportunities for education and recreation, with the aim of increasing involvement in the community and reducing isolation.
—---------------------------
Penn Road Gardens - July Volunteer Day
Sunday 31st August, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens
Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road.
Matt Burton signed up to a group run.
Mon 28th Jul at 6:45pm
A group run with Area Activator Simon while litter collecting in Finsbury Park
Read moreMatt Burton went on a group run
Mon 21st Jul at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon was thrilled to return to Goodgym Islington last night after a two week adventure in Las Vegas, Nevada, California and Utah. 10 keen Goodgymmers (including first timer Sofia- welcome!) joined us at the Arsenal Community Hub for a pleasant group run up Sobell Road, or at our new task location Isledon Gardens.
Goodgym Islington regulars Alison and Alice were the first to arrive at the hidden community garden next to the Sam Morris Nursery, and helped the rest of us to locate the exact meeting place! Local gardeners Mary and Michael were thrilled to see so many volunteers on hand, and directed us to 2 main tasks for the evening.
Task 1 involved unloading coffee sacks of pre-packed wood chip onto a new pathway towards the back of the garden. Large plant pots needed to be safely moved to gain access to the full route, but we made short work of it. We then raked the surfaces to flatten the chips, and the rest of our crew started a production line to fill up as many bags of wood chip as possible for future projects.
Task 2 revolved around us unloading a bin full of new compost, and distributing it into a new planter. No easy job, as the compost was hard packed, and had settled into the compost bin over time. Mehmet, Alice and Pete worked together to dislodge the compost before shovelling the fertiliser into the bed. After lots of scoops, we were able to lift the compost bin into the planter, and we knocked the rest of the compost loose. Great job, well done folks!
As we finished up our task for the evening, Alison announced that she had completed her 400th Goodgym deed with us. An incredible undertaking- congratulations! We remember hearing about Alison's Goodgym activities in Bath back in the day, and we really appreciate her efforts with Goodgym Islington. Well done!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN JULY
Group Run- Isledon Gardens Nature Trail 6.45pm, Isledon Gardens, Parkside Crescent, Monday 21st July
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-isledon-gardens-nature-trail
Community Mission- Highbury Quadrant Estate 7.15pm, Highbury Quadrant Estate, Monday 28th July
Group Run- Market Road Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 4th August
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-market-road-gardens-with-elizabeth-house
—------------------------------------
Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions
Every Thursday, 6pm, Various London locations
On Thursday evenings, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location.
Here is a list of our upcoming events and sign up pages. Runners, supporters and guides of all abilities and experiences welcome!
Hyde Park Thursday 24th July
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 31st July
—--------------------------------------
Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 22nd July, 12.45 - 1.15pm, Elizabeth House
On Tuesday afternoons, during term time, the team at Elizabeth House Food Hub have requested for an extra pair of hands to help with cleaning and tidying up their donation centre.
Expect some satisfying sweeping and surface cleaning to assist this busy team!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/elizabeth-house-food-hub-lunchtime-sweep-up-task-aeb5c257-bc38-4e8b-b4d3-173284fbead7
—---------------------------------------
Green Guardians Spring Sessions
The Garden Classroom, Newington Green
Saturday 26th July
—---------------------------
Penn Road Gardens - July Volunteer Day
Sunday 27th July, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens
Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road. https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-july-4ada7b9d-627b-4d7d-84a6-2cb96e09ab0a
—----------------------------
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 9th August, 10am - 1pm, Union Chapel, Islington
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
A friendly gardening group started to look after the park about 10 years ago. We are always looking for more help - with planting, mulching, pruning, and all the other things a garden needs.
Everyone welcome, no special skills needed! Lots of fresh air and a nice chance to meet local people. We meet once a month on a Saturday morning near the shed in the middle of the Gardens.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/compton-terrace-gardens-volunteer-open-morning-august
—----------------------
Golden Olden Community Gardens - Monthly Volunteer Open Day
Saturday 16th August, 10am - 2pm, Opposite Whistler Street, Islington
Olden Community Garden is a charity that maintains this lovely green space, with the object to promote a community garden for the benefit of people living or working in the London Borough of Islington. Olden Garden gives local people opportunities for education and recreation, with the aim of increasing involvement in the community and reducing isolation.
—--------------------------
Matt Burton signed up to a group run.
Mon 28th Jul at 7:15pm
Helping Frannie from Elizabeth House with this lovely urban garden space
Read moreMatt Burton signed up to a community mission.
Sun 20th Jul at 2:00pm
It will open up 6 new raised beds for the community to grow vegetables in.
Read more
Matt Burton signed up to a group run.
Mon 21st Jul at 6:45pm
A new project with the Sam Morris Nursery and Isledon Gardens
Read moreMatt Burton signed up to a group run.
Mon 7th Jul at 7:15pm
Gardening and clear up near at this renovated playground garden project!
Read moreLoading...