Queens Park Junior Parkrun is up the hill near where I live. I helped out by tail walking and had the honor of wearing the Tail-Walking-Tail. 120 rumners breaking their previous record!

Dear Distinguished Report Readers and those who identify otherwise;

I wish to record that I have undertaken a volunteer activity as a long-term member and part of the Task Force of GoodGym, the UK-based charity whose mission is to combine physical activity with practical community benefit.

GoodGym describes itself as “a community of people who get fit by doing good. We run, walk, and cycle to help local community organisations and isolated older people.” (goodgym.org)

GoodGym is a registered charity (Charity No. 1160988). Its charitable objectives include promoting good citizenship by offering opportunities to combine physical exercise with volunteering — particularly supporting isolated, lonely and older individuals, and assisting local community projects with practical physical tasks.

Importantly, GoodGym is an apolitical organisation. It is open to everyone, regardless of background, belief, or fitness level, and focuses solely on community benefit, reducing isolation and loneliness, promoting wellbeing through activity, and supporting local charities and initiatives. There is no indication in its public materials of any political alignment or bias.

⸻

My Volunteer Action

As a very active volunteer in my community, I recently reached out to my Member of Parliament, Sîan Berry, irrespective of her political affiliation, and learnt that she and her team are distributing their annual report, which outlines the actions and initiatives taken for the benefit of our community.

I offered my help and volunteered to distribute the annual report across several streets, roads, and apartment complexes in my neighbourhood. My goal was to assist in increasing civic awareness, encourage community engagement, and ensure residents are informed about the ongoing development and representation in our area.

As someone who takes pride in community service, I am personally pleased with the work and accessibility of my MP, Sîan Berry, and I used this opportunity to invite her and her team to join us in a GoodGym session, as her schedule allows.

I want to reiterate that GoodGym is apolitical, and we would gladly extend this same invitation to any MP or public representative that the people elect — regardless of their party. We all share a social responsibility to give back to our communities — whether we are MPs, ministers, baronesses, lords, immigrants, or members of the public. Each of us has a duty to help keep our streets welcoming, active, and beneficial for everyone.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. ⸻

Respectfully submitted, Amro Tabari 22 October 2025

Join us at the Brighton & Hove Stand Up to Racism March this Saturday, 18th October! ✊🏽

This week, I found out through the Stand Up to Racism Brighton WhatsApp group that someone had carved a swastika onto a tree in Stanmer Park. Messages in the group showed how worried people were — they planned to report it to the council.

As a Muslim and Palestinian, I thought about how upsetting it would be for someone of Jewish background, perhaps with links to the Holocaust, to see such a hateful symbol while out walking their dog. I felt that, as a community, we also have a duty to take positive action where we can.

So, I hopped on a train to Falmer, found the tree, and covered the swastika with a red heart. What was once a sign of hate now shines as a symbol of love and unity. 💔➡️❤️

Brighton & Hove is a place of compassion, diversity, and solidarity. We reject racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate.

I encourage all GoodGym members to take their own small actions to stand up against racism — whether that’s speaking out, helping to remove hateful graffiti, or supporting those affected — and to share it on the GoodGym website as a self-deed. Together, we can keep spreading love where hate once stood. ❤️💪

#GoodGym #Brighton #StandUpToRacism #LoveOverHate #CommunityAction #Antiracism #DoGoodGetFit

If you know me well, you know that GoodGym has always been a big part of my life. Through all the ups and downs, it’s been a constant — a source of motivation, connection, and purpose. When life is going well, GoodGym is there to celebrate those moments with me. And when I go through harder times, I know that once I find my way back up, GoodGym will still be there — waiting with the same warmth, energy, and community spirit that make it so special.

I’ve always looked for ways to give back to GoodGym. Whether it’s encouraging my employer to make a donation, reaching out to corporate partners to explore collaboration opportunities, or helping build frameworks for future support — it’s important to me to contribute to something that has given me so much.

Recently, when I learnt that GoodGym Central was organising an event at the House of Lords, I was genuinely excited. The event, titled “Movement for Change”, was described as “launching GoodGym’s new youth-led volunteering and fitness programme for 18–25s” — a project designed to inspire young people to get active, give back, and help reduce loneliness through community engagement.

It featured an inspiring line-up of guest speakers, including: • Baroness Beeban Kidron, advocate for children and young people’s rights • Shubho Hassan, co-founder of Tom’s Run Club • Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Civil Society, Youth and Loneliness • Ivo Gormley OBE, Founder and CEO of GoodGym • Kim Leadbeater MP, champion for social cohesion

I felt honoured to play a small part in making the event run smoothly. I was given the enjoyable task of matching attendees’ names with their stickers. At first, I’ll admit, I panicked — with so many names and people arriving at once, it felt a bit overwhelming. But seeing how confident and calm Jacob was in welcoming everyone, and how he gave me the space and time I needed to find each name, really helped. Soon enough, I got on top of it, and together we managed to match every guest with their sticker. It turned into a fun, team-spirited rhythm — a small but rewarding moment that made me feel truly part of the event.

Throughout the evening, I was so inspired by the energy in the room. Kim was incredibly resourceful — at one point she even fixed the screen setup, leading with calm authority and genuine warmth. And Ivo Gormley OBE — charismatic, social, and endlessly approachable — seemed to be the person everyone wanted to chat with. You could see how much respect and affection people have for him and the community he’s built through GoodGym. I also had the chance to meet some of GoodGym’s trustees, and it made me realise that I’d love to be considered for such a role one day — to contribute more deeply to an organisation that means so much to me.

I also learnt about young people launching their own running initiatives, listened to thoughtful and passionate speeches from the guest speakers, and even managed to make an appointment with a sitting minister who promised to try my hummus! Those moments reminded me how powerful GoodGym’s mission is — connecting people through movement, community, and kindness.

And of course, I have to mention the amazing food — the sandwiches and cakes were a real highlight! But more than anything, I just felt deeply grateful to be part of the GoodGym family. Whether it’s in Brighton, with the Central Team, or in any other city I visit, I always find the same spirit — people who genuinely care about their communities and about helping others.

GoodGym will always be a big part of my life. I’ll always look for new ways to give back, to support its mission, and to spread the message of movement, connection, and kindness that it represents.

Finally, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Ivo, Kim, and Jacob for the opportunity — and for the incredible work they do every day to make GoodGym what it is.

And to top it all off, at the end of the event, I even managed to reclaim my confiscated watermelon pin from security! Somehow, that led me into the House of Commons, where I found myself watching the vote on the Sustainable Aviation Bill — which, unfortunately, did not pass. A truly unforgettable day filled with community, connection, and a touch of hummus.

Another fun morning volunteering at Hove Park. Bumped into another Goodgymer doing their parkwalk. I had a good time cheering the walkers, joggers and runners for their weekly 5k around Hove Park. 😁

Sunday volunteering at junior Parkrun. Marshalling the juniors around the Parkrun course at Queens Park.