We're lucky enough to have some beautiful spots to work in during our GoodGym tasks - think Paradise cooperative garden, Doddington roof garden, the panoramic terrace at St Joseph's school and so many more. Last night most certainly fit into that category as we ran down to the oldest church in Battersea - St Mary's. This historic place by the river was where Turner painted some of his iconic images of the Thames, and the area outside is a popular spot used by local people to enjoy. The space is cared for by volunteers, who asked us to come and help make it as welcoming and safe as possible.

We arrived to find not only tools, but all sorts of snacks and drinks waiting for us - we could get used to this! But first - the jobs. We divided up into teams to tackle various tasks. These included weeding, raking, litter picking and sweeping. Grabbing what we needed we scattered across the churchyard.

Paul, Pritesh, Caroline and Catherine were in charge of making sure the area in front of the church was neat and tidy - with the help of the world's largest broom. Meanwhile Katie and Annabel were tackling the weeds alongside the building and searching for a sign of the grass seeds that had been planted 50 years ago - any day now. Jo, Jordan and Steph covered plenty of ground collecting all the dried leaves and grass, and Johnnie, Jordan, Sophie and Ali were waging war on the cig butts and other litter messing up the place and polluting our waterways. Great work everybody!

There was just time to enjoy some Haribo and a photo opp before we went round the corner to do our fitness session on some of the greenest, bounciest grass in Wandsworth. There were burpees, there was balancing, there were some yoga moves and there were some very smoooth transitions. Impressive moves, team!

The big news is that next week we have our birthday themed task and social - please come along to celebrate, to do some good and to mark an amazing nine years of GG Wandsworth. I'd love to see you there

Check out our community missions page if you'd like to help with the Battersea Summer Scheme every day this week. There are plenty of ways to help support this event for disadvantaged kids in the area.

Not even the threat of torrential rain (and the reality of it later on in the evening!) could put off a compact team of GoodGymers eager to put their energy to good use last night.

A special welcome to Johnnie who braved the weather for his very first session, and earned himself some impressively muddy hands as a badge of honour. Great to have you join us Johnnie (and not only because of your gardening expertise!)

We had brought our usual monthly trip to Doddington forward by a couple of weeks because our task owner Malissa is going to be away, but also because our 9th birthday celebration falls on our regular day. Make sure you join us for plenty of fun, doing good, and birthday themed fitness.

So with the clouds rumbling overhead we ran down to the garden and got straight to work. Jobs included thinning out the borders, digging holes and planting donated shrubs, and waging an ongoing war on a tough root ball (which we eventually won). Thank goodness we managed to get out off making those jammy snail traps!

Towards the end of the task we were forced under cover as the heavens opened, but it just gave us a chance to admire the beautiful plants and produce all around us grown by local people. From fat figs, to climbing squash, stunning lilies to fruiting apple trees, the place was thriving.

The rain was showing little sign of stopping, so we decided to bite the bullet and finish the task. Great job everybody!

Instead of fitness in the square, we broke up the run back with different stations, all focused on the glutes. The targeted workouts aimed at giving us buns of steel, and also earned us a few bemused looks from the passing drivers! We finished off with a hill sprint and stretches before heading back to dry off. Nice work on a very soggy evening! Next week we'll be back in the sunshine at beautiful St Mary's - hope to see you there!

On a gloriously sunny Monday evening, a merry band of GoodGym Wandsworth legends laced up their trainers and headed skyward—well, eventually—towards the leafy heights of Doddington Rooftop Gardens.

Joining us for their very first GoodGym escapade were the fabulous Mariella, Samand Karen! We can confirm they passed the initiation test with flying colours (and only mild compost-related trauma). Welcome to the gang—you’ve officially earned your sweat badges. 🌟

After a breezy run that had us all feeling deceptively fresh and full of sunshine-fuelled optimism, we arrived at the gardens… and were immediately greeted by many, many bags of compost. They weren’t going to carry themselves up several flights of stairs, so with military precision (and a good amount of giggling), a human chain was formed. Efficiency levels were high. Biceps were engaged. By the end, we were wearing more compost than clothes.

Meanwhile, an elite fridge-hunting squad was dispatched to a mysterious building nearby to retrieve a rogue refrigerator that was apparently playing hide and seek. Rumours of fridge-related riddles and mazes are still unconfirmed, but huge props to Dave and Caroline, who found the elusive appliance and to Sam who heroically hauled it up the stairs and into position like an absolute legend.

Back at base camp, composting dreams came true: leaves were swept, a giant compost patch was lovingly sculpted, and weeds were decisively evicted. Shoutout to Mariella, who took on one particularly stubborn root system with the determination of someone trying to cancel a gym membership—no weed stood a chance.

Just when we thought our upper bodies might revolt, it was time for a partnered HIIT session—but with a twist: we paired up with people we hadn’t chatted to yet. Lunges, squats, and a bit of mid-squat small talk ensued. Apparently, nothing says “let’s get to know each other” like high knees and mutual breathlessness.

To round off a Monday evening well spent, we made our way to The Latchmere for our much-loved monthly pub quiz, where compost facts were (probably) not part of the trivia, but team spirit was sky-high.

It was all anyone was talking about all day, but on the hottest day of the year so far, our intrepid GoodGym crew forewent the air con and dark rooms and braved the blazing sunshine for a brand new task – heading over to Balham Nursery to help create a beautiful garden space for their under-fives.

We took a gentle jog to the site where we were warmly met by headteacher Natasha and immediately offered ice-cold water, which was very gratefully received. After a quick briefing, we got to work clearing and transforming the space.

The area needed a bit of TLC to become the safe, vibrant spot the nursery envisions – a place where the children can play, sit, and learn among wildflowers. We raked, weeded, and cleared debris to make it safe and welcoming. Along the way, we unearthed a number of long-lost treasures: colourful balls, plastic spades, and even a lion – along with a few other wild animals! Naturally, all creatures great and small were carefully returned to their rightful home.

The heat at 7:30 wasn't conducive to pushing ourselves further so fitness was shevled - but only until next week! So after a satisfying tidy-up, a bit more water, and a final look at our progress, we called it a success and made our way home.

Next week we’re heading back to Doddington for our regular monthly visit – and then on to a pub quiz. Come along and join the fun – we’d love to see you there! Here's the sign up page

A Night of Heroes, Horticulture & Happy Endings at Doddington!

Last night was a special one as we celebrated a big achievement: Paul completed his 400th Good Deed! To mark this milestone for a real-life hero, we had a well-deserved stash of chocolate heroes to fuel our efforts and congratulate Paul on his unwavering dedication.

Our session took us down to the Doddington Community Garden, a vibrant green hub that always benefits the community. We tackled a variety of tasks, including:

Battling the bindweed - an ongoing effort to remove this persistent weed to give the raspberries a chance to flourish. Clearing areas for trees- Annabel and Paul got busy ensuring the ash and apple have the space and light they need Transporting hay and tiles - a true team effort, moving (heavy) items around the garden. Removing dead leaves and sweeping up - Pritesh, Sophie and Jason got rid of all those yellow leaves cluttering up the place

It wasalso great to admire the onions we planted some time ago, now flourishing – a testament to the long-term impact of our GoodGym efforts!

After a productive gardening session, we headed downstairs for a competitive fitness session which saw Sophie and Dave crowned tricep dip royalty!

The run back to base took an unexpected turn as we became embroiled in a missing dog drama. Thankfully, Catherine and Jordan stepped in swiftly and contacted the council, providing crucial assistance. We were all delighted to find out later that evening that the dog was successfully reunited with its owner! A truly happy ending to what was already a very productive night.

A huge well done to everyone, especially to Paul on his amazing 400th good deed!

Join us for our next mission this Saturday: moving mulch! Your help would be greatly appreciated. You can sign up here