We had a fabulous team out this morning to help with the monthly Dallow Downs Litter Pick. When they list the task as a litter pick they don't always warn us about the scale of the task, but there is very little that can discourage the GoodGymers in Luton. We started off with litter pickers and hooped bags, but then Sophie - the task owner mentioned that, hidden in the trees was a mountain of items that looked liked they had been tipped from one or more of the houses backing onto this once green space. Always up for a challenge and a work out, several of the team relinquished their bags and were led by Gill up into the trees. Omar retrieved two tyres, and not long after Gill found two tyres still attached to their wheels. These were soon carried down the hill to the entrance of the pathway. They might have been feeling time, but soon Fawaz and Abdulrahman were walking down with a double matress. Two more matresses were unearthed, and additional execricse was gained from some competitive matreess racing fromAbdulrahman and Fawaz on Team A and Ezrik, Atsiba , Teklay and Mohammed. While the team of two did finish first, the VAR decided there may have been some cheating, as they gave themselves a head start. And Abdulrahman and Fawaz then had a further race while carrying kitchen cupboards up high. Nuriya and Zainab did a fabulous job of continuing with the litter picking in the park while all these shenanigans were going on. It was just a shame that Zain ended up slipping down the hillside in the mud at the end of the task, with no matresses there to break her fall. Congratulations to Mohammed as this was his first GoodGym Community Task. We think he enjoyed it, and hope we haven't put him off getting involved in future tasks.

The last group run of the year was the first group run for Ezrik,Atsiba and Teklay. Welcome to the team guys!

This week's task took us to Azalea where Tracey awaited us with a heavyweight assignment:

Step 1: Detatch and remove the two tumble dryers attached to the top of the washing machines.

Step 2: Move the washing machines down the stairs and outside for waste collection.

Step 3: Bring in and install the new washing machines, replace the tumble dryers.

Side-tasks included moving several radiator covers from the top floor, down three flights of stairs to the basement and detatching a faulty TV from it's wall bracket.

After plenty of up-and-down and heave- ho-ing we got everything in its place and said farewell and Merry Christmas to Tracey as we headed out for a gentle run through the town centre on a tree tour to take in all the festive lights.

Finally, to round off the night, and the year of Group Runs, we headed to the Bricklayer's Arms for some drink and a toast to another good year of GoodGym Luton!

Another prepared more than 140 meals, 140 desserts, and drinks today for a Christmas lunch. The atmosphere was full of love, joy, and happiness as we spent this special time with the elderly residents at Futures House 🎄❤️.

It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed it very much. Abdulrahman

The team assembled early to decorate the hall, lay the tables and help cook Christmas Dinner. When the guests arrived they were then even busier making sure people had drinks and serving the food for the three course meal. As the entertainment started they made sure the tables were cleared and and the washing up was done. And finally, as the last guest left, they packed up the hall, took down the decorations and took all the rubbish out to the dust bins. it was a long day day and our hard work was really appreciated by the guests and organisers. Well done team.