For the last time in 2024 we gathered together at the Ham Lands to support the FOHL in their work on improving the natural habitat for the benefit of animals and walkers alike.

A warm welcome to Natasha, joining from GG Kingston on her second task, and to Steph who made his way over from Ealing.

It was a cool but not freezing cold morning. Sadly Team Leader Sharon had broken her wrist so it was up to the rest of the team to get us to the right spot and brief the group.

We were back in the same area as November’s mission, working on the bramble in two clumps around the base of a tree. Each of us grabbed a pair of loppers or shears and set to work.

We made excellent progress, cutting a swathe through both bramble patches. This time we stopped a little bit early to allow the group time to get ready for the GoodGym Richmond Christmas lunch starting at 12pm.

2024 has been a great year of work on the Ham Lands, thank you to everyone who has come along to one of the 12 missions and done their bit. See you in January, you can sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/helping-the-happy-ham-landers-453c8786-8114-4ccf-a994-8f942db9b6eb

Assisted by storm Darragh the morning GoodGym team were blown to Surbiton High for a very important mission to sort and pack presents for 1,800 children and young people who are under the care of a social worker.

Claire, Julie and Jemma started off by sorting out the books into age categories whilst Mel, Petra, Hannah and Natasha sorted out the toys.

When the van arrived it was all hands on deck to get more bags and boxes of gifts into the hall to be sorted.

Present sorted in to age categories we were joined by Frank and given our instructions on how to go ‘shopping’!

And off we went on a shopping frenzy labelling up the bags, finding presents from play-dough to Lynx deodorant to Ronald Dahl classics plus some winter warmers.

After plenty of shopping the pizza arrived and it was time for a well earned break and to hand over to the afternoon team.

A huge welcome to Hannah, Natasha and Frank on their first mission and we hope to see you again soon.