As part of the weekly sessions that bring together GoodGym volunteers with the Achilles International team, I participated this week as a running guide in a special training session held at the Paddington Rec Track, after we met at Maida Vale underground station on Thursday evening.

This initiative is part of the ongoing collaboration with Achilles International, a sports charity that embraces people of all abilities and provides them with a supportive and safe environment to exercise alongside trained guides. These sessions aim to support visually impaired runners, helping them develop their athletic skills while fostering a spirit of community participation.

The session included 11 professional guides, 10 visually impaired (VI) runners, and a support team of 2 people. Enthusiasm was evident on the Paddington Rec Track, where the atmosphere was marked by mutual encouragement and positive energy.

I am proud to be part of this wonderful team, which includes a distinguished group of athletes with disabilities, as well as a group of volunteer guides, both experienced and new. The training varied throughout the session, including recovery runs, tempo runs, and interval workouts, all amid a lively atmosphere filled with enthusiasm and mutual support on the track.

This type of event not only enhances physical fitness but also contributes to building meaningful human relationships based on trust, respect, and teamwork.

I am honored to be part of this ongoing volunteer work and look forward to many more upcoming sessions with GoodGym and Achilles International.

I met Ewa outside the property (a few minutes late and not yet wearing my goodgym tee owing to the strong 30 degree heat). Ms J was ready for us, clear and direct with what she wanted and where we should start. She thought we wouldn’t get it all done in the time, boy, did we show her! It was extremely hot but we powered through and managed to clear the majority of the weeds, trim a couple of bushes, sweep around and move some pots and pallets around.

A job very well done, in tough conditions.

First mission with Ewa, look forward to many more.

The friendly multi-national team at Elizabeth House requested some extra help to clear up at the end of a busy foodbank supermarket session. GoodGym provided its own multi-national team - David from Islington and Brenda from Croydon.

Chair stacking, table wiping, crate lugging, food composting - the half hour session flew past. More help requested next week!

Initially I thought this morning's rain might scupper the opportunity to cut Mr F's lawn, but by the time I got there in the afternoon everything was dry and ready for a good trim - I was surprised how much it had grown since my last visit at the end of May.

Mr F had already got the mower out, and so familiar with his garden I quickly got to work - once I'd done the grass Mr F also asked me to tidy up the borders, which were more easily done by hand and judicious use of the secateurs. He gave me his seal of approval once I'd done all he asked - and once I'd done a quick tidy up he said he'd like me back in a month to do it all again!

NINE GoodGymmers shovelled earth and mulch in 29C heat for Light of the World Church.

Alice, Cat, and Hermione helped Eslam to shift and water some soil while Matt, Sarah, Emily, Caitlin, and Alison laid mulch over coffee sacks to make a path.

On Friday, June 27th, 2025, I undertook a mission to clear wheelchair access for Mrs. K, who is in her late 90s! The task involved weeding and cutting back overgrown footpaths in her back garden. There was a lot to do, and I made a good start on clearing the area.