Lambeth

Mission

winner winner chicken dinner

1 GoodGymer made their way to help an isolated older person in Lambeth.

  • Frances Collier-Wright
 
Saturday, 16th of May 2020

Other people in goodgym lambeth had been bumping into eachother on their runs and, frankly, I was getting a bit jealous. but today, at last, as I was running to Mrs V's to do her shopping trip, I glanced behind me before veering into the road to avoid a fellow pedestrian, and David came swooping up behind me on his bike. We exchanged a wave, no more, we had missions to get to, but it was a moment of connection so rare in lockdown, when all other people are reduced to obstacles. It interrupted a reverie I was having about how proud and purposeful I feel when I run to a mission in my goodgym tshirt, rucksack strapped to my back. Not quite knowing what challenge will face me at my destination, but enjoying running for a reason and doing some good in the world, just because. I spend a lot of time dodging into the road when I run, but when others occasionally stand aside to let me pass instead, I imagine they have seen the tshirt and are thinking "ah, there's a girl who's on her way to something important, better let her get on." It makes me feel connected to others all over the country, people I know and people I don't, buzzing around to offer a helping hand when people need it most. Being part of that collective is special, and bumping into someone on their way to another mission brings it all home. So it was with these positive and poignant thoughts I arrived at Mrs V's and collected her list. Something about the positivity must have been carried in the air because Iceland had no queue and absolutely everything on her list. As I walked back with bags and change listening to my tunes I had a real skip in my step (it's lucky that this isn't the point at which I bumped into anyone as I sashayed along the road quite embarrassingly). Mrs V was so delighted she could make her favourite meals again (KFC imitation chicken n chips is her speciality) and with her gratitudes ringing in my ears I set off back home, smiling.

Report written by Frances Collier-Wright

In partnership with British Red Cross Independent Living (Lambeth & Southwark).

Discuss this report

Richard Taylor
Richard Taylor
Monday May 18th, 2020 09:51

What a lovely report, and you can rest assured that you really are part of something bigger up and down the country, Frances! :D

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