...Have you any litter? Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full!

A big thank you to the 9 runners for this fun rhyme that perfectly sums up our evening! On a crisp January evening, Anne, Adam, Alys, Claire, Katie, Kirsty, Jack, Nadia and Julie gathered at the Leisure Centre for a warm-up before heading over to Barnsbury. There, we collected three full bags of litter from the pavements and verges, all while enjoying great conversation and camaraderie.

A special shout-out to Jack from GoodGym Head Office, who joined us as part of his January Challenge to visit as many regional sessions as possible. Once the litter pick was complete, and after a passing motorist kindly thanked us for our efforts, Anne led us on a quick uphill run. Nadia impressively demonstrated a fantastic burst of speed, leaving the rest of us in the dust!

We returned to the starting point feeling much warmer than when we began. A huge thank you to all who participated, your efforts made a real difference to our streets. We hope to see you at the next task!

Every January, a group in red can be found walking and running in a (seemingly) aimless fashion around Camden.

They stop frequently and their eyes dart in a (seemingly) searching manner.

Several can usually be heard saying "I think that's a tree..." before leading the group into a shadow.

Welcome, friends, to GoodGym Camden's annual Christmas Tree Scavenge!

Meeting in the welcome warmth of the Somers Town Living Centre, our group swiftly donned gloves and dropped bags before heading out to the cold for a very important task: our weekly game of Simon Says.

Having completed squats, lunges, arm circles, stretches (of many varieties), spins, twirls, and twists, our group were suitably warmed and ready to scavenge Camden for naughtily discarded Christmas Trees.

Our borough's pavements can be difficult to navigate when they're at their tidiest, and they can become thoroughly inaccessible in January when folks dump their trees on sidewalks, by bins, and in alleyways. Our annual scavenge helps ease the burden :)

Splitting into two groups, our first group of Alison, Jack, John, Louise, Rose, and Steve (led by John) shot off and up through Camden, around Regent's Park, and into Primrose Hill where... they met the most magnificently large tree! Tossed aside, this wonderful fir wouldn't look out of place in a Nordic forest, but it (perhaps) did look out of place being carried through North London streets! Especially when it was joined by several other trees the group found en route!

Our second group of Anne, Ivar, and Jackie, meanwhile, stayed closer to home and explored the green spaces and roads of Somers Town. Amidst stories of the festive season, work, and more this group discovered their first bundle of green behind a bin, and they soon caught sight of four more discarded spruces!

The photos tell a story I can't. This group made a huge difference last night, and they did so while being active and social, which is just the ticket for a dark winter evening :)

Here's to next time!!