9 GG Brent Familia, hit up a couple of K, to; Break up old beds, manovoure matresses, lift chairs, move massive mounds of old furniture & whack some weeds. All For the community regeneration of the Old Police HQ in wonderful Willesden!!

Intrigued.... yes it was a weird and wacky one I can tell you!! Read on for the full report

Delighted to be back with my west London fam, the GG Brent brigade didn't disappoint, with a courageous crew of nine, ready to rock the roads and pound pavements for Willesden Town Team's Police Station regeneration project. POW POW!

Back in the mix for a second week in a row was the absolutely awesome Coralie, one of the GG Brent originals back from her travels, all gorgeous and brown. Joining Coralie was our gaggle of gals: Sisters Beattie and Rachel, Debs and Tabs, Clairey-bell and Awesome Amy. And holding down the fort for the Brent, brilliant blokes was always jubilant Joe!! YAY.

So wasting no time..... OKAY We did waste a bit with catch ups and banter We stepped out to run the short distance to our destination for the eve on Walm Lane! On route we heard some very exciting news indeed that our very own beautiful Debs, received a proposal at the weekend...!!!! Amazing and we were so delighted to hear her wonderful wedding news! x x x

The run was fairly short, so arriving on time was no problem at all! Meeting us a the door was our ever brilliant host Colin, who, like the stray cats he fostered lurking all around the yard, has had nine lives himself! Which we heard all about over the course of the evening The being swept out the sea escape being the most dramatic swerve of death story he told! WOWZER and there's you thinking cool-cats didn't like water!!

Wanting to maximise the time we decided to stay for the duration of 60mins as there was plenty to do!! Most notably the smashing up of old bed frames and mattress stacking as this old station used to be haven for a very large community of squatters and copious amounts of sleep aids were not needed for what was in store for this place's future! FYI - You couldn't stop the enthusiasm of Beattie and Tabitha as they launched straight into the bed-bashing and wielded their hammers until the final stopwatch chime! Girl Power Hour for real!!

Rachel, Amy, Coralie, Claire and I focussed on the chair stacking and heavy lifting of the debrit varieties from the shed to the yard, while Joe became Colin's right hand muscle man! And despite his looks of dismay and self doubt, turned out to be quite the handy-man, spending some of the night perched on top of a van!! LOL

Although it's fair to say this was definitely a physical task of the highest decree, in order to get in some legit fitness fun, I integrated some leg circuits into the mix, with break-out squads tackling: Split squats, sumos and jump lunges X10 Reps for 3 rounds and I'm hoping there's gonna be some well toned, aching muscles waking up in West London this morning as a result!!

Although it seemed like only a few moments passed, the time had unfortunately etched away and once more we had to bid farewell to our excellent host and worthy task. However, this one is one where there is much to be done and we will be back for a visit in the next coming weeks!

Fast feet took us back to base with speed demon Debs (as always) pushing pace at the front and giving me a sure-fire run for my money! Stretches to finish and with a genuinely pooped possey we called it a night! but we'll see you next time Brent brigade!

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE!

Six runners met on a fabulous Monday summer evening for a short run to the local former Willesden Green police station-cum- future community hub and all-round creative space, followed by a jaunt up to Gladstone Park for a breath-taking relay race!

A smaller group than usual, but no less full of good vibes and energy, Claire was happy to welcome second-timers Jo and Emily, Joe with an 'e', and Brent regulars Liz, Tabitha and Deborah, vying for the 50 good deed black t-shirt, who will be the first...?

We set off down to the High Street with a spring in our step to the task that awaited us - yes that's right, moving old mattresses ready for collection, and stacking up a batch of new ones. There was no sleeping on this job though, we shifted those mattresses quicker than you could say 40 winks and even had time for a cuppa tea.

Meanwhile, out front, Deborah, Tabitha and Jo had set about sprucing up the surroundings, litter picking, weeding and ... oh dear... standing in poo (ever heard of bag it & bin it Brent dog owners?!?). Not one to be a party poo-per (groaaaan!), Tabitha didn't let that take the smile off her face (well, only temporarily!).

With tools packed up and gloves returned, we said our goodbyes and thank you's for the hospitali-tea and ran off towards Gladtstone Park for a tempo relay race, the six were paired up and ran round the bottom of the park in different directions till they met somewhere near the middle, high-fived and changed direction to race back to the start point - competition was fierce and there was only a measley 17 seconds between the first and last finishers, impressive work! We regrouped for a well-deserved stretch out on the grass before heading back to the Queensbury.

Well done everyone! You make Brent Brighter!!!

Leafleting for affordable and free counselling services in Brent to support the people of the borough to achieve positive and healthy mental health! POW POW Random and raucous run report written by a boisterous, banter filled GG Brent, in a game of Run Report Consequences at our summer drinks ting! Enjoy the madness!!!

The beautiful crew, knew what to do when they met in The Queensbury, for a run and some leafleting. Good gym a'hoy, let's spread lots of joy, said the leader named Ellie to the merry and many.

The rain was pissing down and the group looked like rats who were drowned and that's before we had even set off for the task!! Oh Well... Hoods up and off we went to show Brent what's up!

Handing out the leaflets was wayyyyyyy to easy for us pros, so we went for a sprint down to Cricklewood as well! Yay.

As we scattered, the group were dumbfounded......where could she be? Despite excruciatingly aching muscles each took a road and ran, yelling out Ellie's name..!!! Oh there she is.

Next the runners were told that "Glutes" are evil and must be destroyed..... (Side note from actual Ellie talking now..... this is a fiction.... I love GLUTES!!!) and 24 glutes were P-lunged from existence.

The sadistic leader then tortured the athletes until half of us had broken down, however, she was relegated back to base and made a visit to the police station for her comeuppance (oh wait that was last week)

We finished the keep-fit part of the evening with some lunging and stretching. Elisa said "Hi" to a guy.... The group said "Who's that?"....... She didn't know but he was very very handsome! Perhaps he'll come to Goodgym next week..??!?! Let's hope so!!

All stretched out and ready to roll (and drink), there was just enough time for a quick photo op (Ellie never misses a trick) Ellie pulled one of her poses for the photo, giving up the totality of any semblance of normality. Ellie also had a moment when she talked about the mystical side of sports training.

Two late arrivals showed up with medals from the 10mile race yesterday.... Sadhana and Mouse Yipppeeee. More practice to be done at Goodgym, as there are many more races to be run with fellow goodgymers!!

The end......The chips..... The drinks..... The Italiano sisters told me to write this! Hummmmm thanks for that stunning finisher Samuel!!!!

See you next week!!!!!

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE

Wow wow wow. Women of the world did unite on this fine night in Willesdens heart, for an awesome community task! Pow Pow

It was all smiles and sunshine in the midst of a gloriously nearly Indian summer-like day in London. No complaints here, even though it was rather humid, as double digits of my brilliant Brent beauties from all Corners of the globe, rocked up to support the community town team for the second to last Monday in may.

Flame haired lovely Jenny joined me first, who was new to the crew and we welcomed her joyfully with open arms!! shortly after we were joined by always lovely Liz fresh from weekend bridesmaid duties, double double trouble family fun with sister sledge and the Italiano sisters Awesome Amy making the most of the heat wave and dressed for a rave, planking and lightening bolt leggings queen Sadhana and last but not least everyone's favourite Mouse in the House.

So after housekeeping and shares, we wasted not one care and alive and kickin, set out on our mission.

Hot to trot and not half a mile away, the task awaited us in the form of community goodness sprinkler Colin and his glorious crew of merry men, little did they know they were soon to be joined by the equally if not more merry and definitely stronger wonder women from Goodgym Brent!

As we powered down the high road our red tees flashed past locals like lightening bolts crashing through the clouds. And what a joy it was to bear witness to the crowds of head turners who smiled with glee and cheered us on!

Ello ello ello... Arriving in no time at all, we reached our destination for the eve - The Old Police Station and tasking for a Willesden Town Team!!! Yay!

What was once the dominant presence of the local police station, standing all proud with its Victorian bricks in the heart of Willesden since 1801, had been left an abandoned ruin for many a year, in a wanted state of repair. Recently being relinquished as home to squatters, graffiti bandits and litter droppers, the local community had rallied together to take back ownership and begin working on the creation of community hub which will eventually become home to local businesses, hot desks, a community cafe and much much more in the view to bring the good people of this area together in one lovely and lively central community hub. How marvellous!!

So upon arrival Colin gave us the tour and creeping around in an original Victorian prison Cell we were found. Led on further by our very own brave mouse, who wasn't scared by resident cats in the house. Meeooowww.

After the grand tour it was time to get down to work and there was plenty of it let me tell you! Planting and making beautiful the gardens at the front. Shovelling and disposing of exploded soil bags in the main grounds and muchos lifting and shifting of mega heavy wooden panels and sheets of metal. Eliza in particular proving that size and gender means absolutely nothing when it comes to strength and determination because this superwoman held her own with the heaviest piece of metal known to man of womankind!! Even having enough energy to skateboard after the efforts lol!!

While the girls worked tirelessly for 60mins, never once were they distracted..... hummm okay we did laugh our way through most of the task, finding peculiar objects in the grass (the weird exploded foam finger to name one a Sadhana and I finding this most amusing) we planned our summer Brent shindig and discussed the pros and cons of racing in heat!

Before I knew it a time check brought us > crashing down to reality - end of play on this fine day. But we couldn't have tried more, with these plentiful chores!

Saying a quick and fond farewell to the community crew, we booked in our next visit without further a do. and like the lightening bolts once again we blitzed down the road for one final sprint back to base camp, arriving back at the joyful hubbub of the Queensbury our home from home !

What a fabulous evening, well worth the time spent, getting fit, having fun and giving back to the wonderful community of Brent.

See you next time!!

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE.

On the last Monday of the month, GG Brent tackled timber, banished branches, cropped & chopped, then hopped their way to a tasty 6k. All in a days work for the West London tribe. That's definitely what I'd call a Grandville day out POW POW

What a happy GG leader I was to be greeted by the always smiling faces of my delicious gang of Brent beauties this Monday night and can you Adam and Eve it, this week we had not one, not two but three brilliant boys YAYYYYYYY.

Even, the threat of an impending down-pour, was still no deterrent for my fierce force of favourites as we laced up and braced ourselves for the wet and wild whisk over to Carlton Vale for our goodgym antics for the night.

However, to our delight, as we stepped outside base camp, the skies had cleared and a lovely sunset was all that guided us the 2 mile jaunt over to south Kilburn for our terrific task for the night - The chop and pop operation of the Granville Community sites gardens!

So what was it all about then, I hear you cry???? Well, Grandville is this amazing centre, that serves the local community in so many ways. Believing that everyone no matter circumstance has the right to fresh, good quality, nutritious food, they serve their patrons via their community allotments, community cooking nights, classes and feasts and school education programmes. Food for though wouldn't you say

Upon arrival our fantastic host Leslie explained the deeds we had in store for our 45min blast and let me tell you, there were plenty!! The strenuous task of yanking out dead tree roots, the sawing and chopping out of control bushes and the ever so yucky stamping down of the compost Debs and I got our hands dirty with this one. *NICE***

Without further-a-do, the team set to work with magical momentum, wasting no time at all and grabbing all the tools that Leslie could throw at us. Special credit must go to Sam, who with his own bear hands yanked out not one but two massive tree roots, which was no easy Roots Manoeuvre I can tell you!

As the time etched away the team cracked on, with Sean and Dan sawing their way through the devilish nasties of the blackberry spikes. Laura, Sam and Amy the dream Yank and Pull team and Enrique, Debs and Myself busying ourselves with the clear up and stack jobs leftover, but of course not leaving out time for tom-foolery in the bushes!!! Standard antics And after a genuine back-breaking 40mins, the clear up and clear out was upon us and out the gates we did boost, wishing our hosts a fond farewell, with our echoes of See you sooonnnn singing in the air.

I think it's safe to say we we came, we tasked and we conquered that garden (for this week anyway) but there is plenty more work to be done, so we will most definitely be back. Not only to get our revenge on the Blackberry branches, who managed to give me personally one final leg jab on the way out!! OUCH

So with 2 miles left to dash, the team set to running and funning all the way home and with more boys in the mix this week, the boisterousness banter was upped a level, with Enrique and Sam chasing and racing each other all the way home!!

Not wet Hurrah but most definitely wild, thank you team for yet another wonderfully, weird and fun filled week in Brent!

See you next time!!!!

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE