**First Report By Olalekan

On Sunday morning, I volunteered as a Marshall at the Woking Junior Parkrun. I arrived early to help set up the course and was given a briefing about my position and responsibilities. My main task was to guide and encourage the runners, make sure they followed the correct route, and report any issues to the Run Director.

During the event, I stood at my designated point on the course, cheering on the children and offering encouragement as they ran past. It was great to see so many young runners taking part and enjoying themselves. I also made sure the path was clear and safe for everyone.

After the final runner passed, I collected the course signs near my position and helped pack them away. The whole experience was very positive — it was rewarding to support the event and help the children stay motivated and safe. I would definitely be happy to volunteer again in the future.

2nd Report By Karen

Following a last-minute appeal to parents and carers, we were able to go ahead with the parkrun — we had been two volunteers short at the start. In total, 134 runners took part, supported by 23 wonderful volunteers.

Among them were two GoodGymers, Ola and Karen, who sadly didn’t manage to spot each other on the day. With the colder weather now here, our red T-shirts tend to be hidden under coats, which makes meeting a bit more challenging. To be fair, Ola braved it in a T-shirt, so we’re still not sure how Karen missed that!

Despite the chill, it was a great morning and an enjoyable run for everyone involved — runners and volunteers alike.

Kirsty, Olalekan and Anne met at Knaphill Lower School to help some of the parents to renovate the school Trim Trail for their children.

It was the first time we met Olalekan who is our "newest" GoodGymer. He was recognised as a GoodGymer because of the red T-shirt under his jacket!

Vikki, who is organising the PTA, was there to welcome us and showed us the different jobs we could undertake. Olalekan ran to one of the rakes and in no time gathered many piles of dead leaves. Kirsty and Anne helped to dispose of most of the piles on a designated heap behind a tall fence: this was our strength training for the weekend.

To help us recover after the strenuous exercise, Vikki offered us soft drinks and biscuits. It did helped!

Kirsty and Anne also started to clean the walking frame which was covered with months of being out in all weathers. We will need to come back as the trail is rather long. Look out in the diary for more sessions to help the school. Remember: the more, the merrier!

Next Wednesday, there is a "litter pick" session, or "plogging". We will meet at 6:45 at the Leisure Centre. Will we see you then?

In the meanitme, happy running to you all.

Wedding, Engagement & Birthday

This evening Woking GG team were out on the town 🍷 celebrating 3 milestones 😊.

Big shout out to Anne who had arrange this evening 🎉

1, Big congratulation to Alys & Dan who tied the knot few weeks ago 👰. It looked like an amazing day, was had had by all, and the photo's looked great. A honeymoon in Japan is on the horizon.

2, Also congratulations to Nadia & Andy who got engaged recently. The rock 💍 on Nadia finger was very impressive (Another GG Wedding to look forward to 💕.

3, It was also GG Woking's 9th Birthday. For 9 years Goodgym Woking have now been helping and supporting local organisations within the community. Over the last few years Woking GG has grown. We have new members like Luan, Caterina, & Andy as well as others join. We now have 4 run leaders with Nadia completing her run leader training this year. She now joins Wayne, Anne, Adam, & James.

Task force members have also increased with Kirsty joining the force along side Katie and others 👏. And we are also very lucky to have Rebecca who is on the board of trusties who keeps us in the loop with whats happening within HQ 😊.

Woking GG is thriving and going from strength to strength. A fantastic kind, caring group of people who enjoy doing good in the community and supporting each other.

Woking GG Is The Best 💕

This morning at GoodGym we decided to divide and conquer as there were a number of tasks to complete, and so I went with the Biodiversity task with WEAct Woking!

Meeting at the designated location after parking at St John’s Lye car park the guys and I got to work.

It has been said that the Laurel was planted around the Victorian age as it was then fashionable to cover the forest floor but was not indigenous. Removing it in modern day times enables more plant life to grow up through it! On some occasions WEAct has planted wild flowers over whatever has been removed.

The guys gave me a pair of lopers and some gloves and we worked to reduce a huge pile of Laurel that had already been cut. This was then put into a large stack to be removed later.

Leaving at break time the guys offered me some coffee and biscuits 🍪 but I only asked if they could take some photos for me for this report. They continued to work after I left, there is so much to remove that this task could have gone on all day 😂

Thanks guys see you next time!

Luan

All Aboard Club

This morning Wayne headed off to Brookwood at the all aboard club where he met up with Richard who runs the club 😊

Together with two other volunteers 35 chairs were put around the hall for parents to sit ad watch the kids enjoy the train track. Then the building began, between the 5 of us a very creative track with plenty of loops was created which would keep the kids entertained for the morning 🚂

Junior Park Run

This mornings junior park run was a little gray, with rain threatening 😢 but luckily we got way with it.

Wayne arrived early and was designated check point 4 to cheer and encourage the young runners around the 2k course

In total there were 132 runners with the fastest time being a very impressive 07:17 with another 36 PB's