Sadly GG regular AJ had to depart these shores for a little while, but it didn't take her long before she found a project to help out with:

We Don't Waste

We Don’t Waste works to reduce hunger and food waste in the Denver area by recovering quality, unused food from the food industry and delivering it to nonprofit partners, such as food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools and daycare programs, and more.

Sharing the Goodgym love across the pond, AJ dove right in to help out with this great organisation.

A windy morning meant a series of parkruns were cancelled, but the course at Valentines Park stood up to the weather - it was on!

I think it doesn't need mentioning what task Ed got assigned - Marshalling the car park entrance for the 202nd time?

Linda was initially busy sorting out unlocking the toilet block before reverting back to usual patient saint and walk with R.

After helping setting up the funnel and being told i'd scan, then Marshall, then scan, then tokens, I ended up having to dash to get to my marshalling location. Some of the geese were clearly not fussed about people, not giving an inch while strolling about, but no incidents nor upset birdsong!

Plogging is pretty standard for the GGR crew, with the topic of conversations varying widely.

This time round it felt quite seasonal... with the subject of what to do when finding a dead boy while litter picking kicking things off. Short version: does it count as an additional task sorting out a body?

2x two bags of litter left for the council to pick up, with some broken street lights to report as well.

A very productive session this morning to spruce up the planters at Hainault station:

• Sharon was in charge of a big job of picking out the rubbish and cigarette butts and also sweeping someone's attempt at 'help' (someone scooped out a lot of cigarette butts out of the planters onto the floor underneath!). Sharon also topped up the fresh soil and got rid of some of the dried out weeds. great job!
• I was in charge of the full watering and filling of the water reservoirs, it was definitely a workout and by the end my arms were in pain!

great good deed on Sunday morning! Next step is to get some fresh autumn flowers to brighten up the planters.

Mr and Mrs B had four tricky LED spotlights in their kitchen that needed changing. Mr B had just had a cataract operation so a dark kitchen far from ideal.

What I thought would be a 5 min job turned slightly longer when we realised the bulbs hadn't been changed in years and the casings on LED lights were rusted shut. A bit of WD40, a hammer, a screwdriver did the job and we eventually got the old bulbs out and the new ones in.

Job done and I was soon off running through Wanstead Park on the way home. I completely forgot to take any photos of the task so here are some horses from the run home and me with my tongue out. Enjoy.

5 GGR foodbank regulars turned up today to pick and pack for Frenford Foosbank.

Ed and Linda started setting everything up soon joined by AJ who was keen to start her last shift with GGUK before moving to the USA. AJ has been a keen supporter of GG food banks across the boroughs and has already scoped out food banks stateside so she can help out across the pond. 🙌🏻

Massive kudos goes out to Peter and Kathryn who gave up days off work to come help out, especially as Kathryn was under par due to dental work and also roped in her Mum to help. 🤩

Along with other volunteers we soon got 47 packages picked and packed ready to go just taking a small break to snack on Victor the Vegan Caterpillar (made from fruit as we've had too much left over cake lately) to help celebrate Peters belated 50th Birthday and AJ's forthcoming adventures 🤗