Four festive Goodgymmers attended the Toy Library to wield the scissors and sellotape and give a helping hand to Father Christmas, whose annual visit is imminent! As ever, Helen was HUGELY thankful for the extra hands on deck. A big thank you to John and Jacqui (GG Tower Hamlets) for coming to support GGWF, yet again - we are so grateful to have you with us. There won't be a Toy Library task for us in December, as Helen is snowed under, but we'll be back again in January, so watch this space for task listings!

(Apologies for a) the late report, and b) the stock elf photo - I sadly wasn't able to attend this month's task as I was on family nursing duties elsewhere, so no photos of the actual elves in action!)

Four enthusiastic Goodgymmers (John, Lily, Migle and Sarah) met for our monthly task at Walthamstow Toy Library this evening where Helen had a few jobs lined up for us. We cleaned toys that had been returned to the library and prepared craft supplies for some ghostly Halloween creativity. Spooky! Lastly, we took down the bunting that we'd so beautifully hung in the summer to decorate for the Toy Library's anniversary celebrations, as it was starting to look a little past its peak. We got the jobs done in no time at all, and Helen was, as ever, delighted to have had some extra hands on deck. Special kudos goes to John (GG Tower Hamlets) who took a detour on his way home from Birmingham to drop in and help GGWF this evening - your support was hugely appreciated, John - thank you!

Three happy Goodgymmers made their way to Walthamstow Toy Library where Helen had - in view of the day's somewhat unpredictable weather - found us a lovely indoor task. As always, the Toy Library has had many wonderful donations from very generous members of our community, and as a result has yet another overflowing walk-in cupboard! We've done the crafts cupboard, the art supplies cupboard and the toy cupboard, so this week it was games and puzzles. Organising, filing and finding space for everything was a puzzle in itself, but Pippa set to work on jigsaws, Lily dealt with games, and Sarah and Helen filed the many wooden puzzles into various categories. By the time the task was done, the cupboard was spick and span and beautifully organised! Helen was, as ever, delighted to have the job done and so grateful for our support. Well done team GGWF!

Four enthusiastic Goodgymmers headed to Walthamstow Toy Library this evening for our second task of the week! Tonight we made the most of the dry weather to do an outdoor task, tackling the many weeds that were rampant around the driveway and carpark. Many hands made very light work and we happily cleared the pesky weeds and brambles in record time! As always, Helen was delighted to have some help, and - task completed - the wonderfully weedless driveway was extremely satisfying to behold! Special mention goes to Migle, who was on her first Goodgym mission. Well done to the Walthamstow weeding dream team!

Four jolly Goodgymmers made their way to our monthly task at Walthamstow Toy Library this evening, to help Helen with cleaning some returned toys and sorting and organising some lovely donations of games and craft supplies. Many hands made light work, and the tasks were easily completed. Helen was delighted to have some helpers on board, as always, and we were very happy to welcome Kate to her first Goodgym task! Well done to all who came along – it’s always a joy to be able to contribute to such a brilliant project in our local community. The Toy Library continues, as always, to do excellent work, bringing educational, creative and play opportunities to families in need in Waltham Forest. We’ll all be taking a break over August, but watch this space for our next Toy Library task in September, which will probably involve a bit of late summer gardening – everyone’s welcome; the more the merrier!

Four happy Goodgymmers spent an evening at the Walthamstow Toy Library helping to prepare for the street party, which will take place this Saturday in celebration of the Toy Library's 50th anniversary. That's right - 50 years of this incredible resource for our community, providing low-cost, sustainable access to toys and clothes, as well as play and creative opportunities, for families all over the borough of Waltham Forest. We weeded and swept, continuing from last week's mission to make the outside space spick and span, before bedecking the entire place, inside and out, with colourful bunting, to create a very festive atmosphere indeed. It was excellent to welcome Charlie and Faye, already seasoned Goodgymmers, to their first task for GG Waltham Forest, and a special mention goes to Patricia, who was doing her first ever Goodgym mission. The energy was fabulous, and many hands made light work. As ever, Helen was very grateful for the help, and we all had a great time, while getting lots of good work done. Well done all, and Happy Birthday, Walthamstow Toy Library - here's to another 50 brilliant years!