GoodGym Group Run Report: Helping the Allotment for East Finchley Food Bank

Last evening, our GoodGym team gathered at the historic Phoenix Cinema for a group run with a purpose—this time, to lend a hand at the allotment run by Finchley charities in support of the East Finchley Food Bank. As we assembled, conversation quickly turned to our favorite books and current reads, sparking lively discussions and giving us plenty to chat about during our run along Finchley High Street. It was a great way to discover new titles and connect with each other over shared interests.

GoodGym is all about inclusivity, so our run catered to different fitness levels. We made regular stops to ensure everyone could keep up, and during these breaks, the faster runners took the opportunity to do some squats and kick drops—perfect for strengthening quadriceps and staying warm with a bit of aerobic work.

Upon reaching the allotment gates, we were greeted by Carmel, who gave us an inspiring overview of the charity’s mission and its impact on the community. Energized by her words, we ran down to the plot where we received our tasks for the evening.

The main job was to transport woodchip to the bottom of the allotment, under a fig tree and other trees, to create a space for school groups. The allotment also serves as an educational resource, so this task was particularly meaningful. Armed with wheelbarrows and shovels, we got to work. Meanwhile, a couple of team members continued work on a pond we had started during our last visit. This time, they focused on filling gaps around the edges with soil and spreading sand to create a welcoming area where kids can gather and observe pond life in the future.

Unfortunately, we discovered that one of the plum trees had suffered significant damage, so we carefully removed the broken branches and placed them at the back of the allotment. However, our spirits were lifted when we noticed a perfectly ripe fig, which we joyfully picked and shared, savoring its sweet taste.

The allotment has already produced fresh vegetables for the food bank, including lettuce, and we were pleased to witness the harvest of some potatoes during our visit. As the evening drew to a close, we made sure to finish up by 8:30 pm, ensuring we had time to warm down before heading home.

It was a beautiful, warm summer evening, and the setting sun cast a golden glow over our final moments together. Our group—Paul, Lucinda, Theo, Rachael, Stephanie, and Michaela—left the allotment with a sense of accomplishment, having combined exercise with doing good for the community.

well done to Stephanie on her first GoodGym run hope to see you again. click the link.

Looking forward to the next one!

The sun, in its usual nonchalant manner, was beginning to take its evening bow as seven of GoodGym's stalwart members embarked on a mission that combined the heroic with the horticultural. Beattie, John, Rachel, Moya, Lucinda and Michaela had one single objective: to lay down wood chipping on the forest path at Martin Primary School. This was not merely a whimsical endeavor but a preemptive strike of sorts, ensuring that when September rolled around, the returning children would have a path as smooth as a duke’s handshake, well... or some other minor royal...

But our intrepid heroes were not content with just securing the future of these young scholars’ footwear. No, they had a plan so cunning it could have been devised by a fox with a degree in strategy. Along with the wood chipping, at the end of heir task they carried a bounty of apples, freshly picked from the ground, if one can combine 'freshly' and 'ground' in a single sentence.

As they reached the school, the scene was one of industrious delight. The air was filled with the mingling scents of freshly chipped wood, very hot underneath, and the crisp, tangy aroma of apples that would have had even the most jaded of noses twitching in appreciation. With the precision of landscape artists, they spread the wood chippings, transforming the once earthy track into a path fit for the most discerning of schoolchildren.

And the apples? Well, they were carefully stowed away, ready for the day when one of their number would be seized by the irresistible urge to turn them into something far greater than the sum of their parts. A crumble, perhaps, that would one day be enjoyed with the same satisfaction as a job well done.

So it was that the GoodGym runners departed, leaving behind a path as welcoming as an old friend and a stash of apples with potential yet untapped. The children will return in September to a pathway worthy of a fairy tale, and one day, perhaps, that apple crumble would come to pass—a fitting end to a fruit-ful day. Well done everyone!

What do you get when you mix nine eager GoodGym runners, a plot of land, and a historic charity? A wheelbarrow load of fun, fitness, and community spirit, of course!

Last night, on a gloriously warm summer evening with a few picturesque clouds, we set off on a mission to support the Finchley Charities. These good folks have been helping the community for over 500 years, primarily through their Armes houses, but also by nurturing an allotment that provides fresh food for the local food bank.

Our run was off to a dynamic start as we paused for a round of dropkick squats—because why not add some flair to our fitness? Then, onward we dashed, meeting up with Anton at the allotment. Anton gave us the lowdown on the Finchley Charities and led us through some very imposing gates. (Seriously, these gates were practically auditioning for a part in the next Game of Thrones season.)

With the gates behind us, we jogged through the lush allotments, making our way to the heart of the Finchley Charities site. Tasks were promptly dished out: some of us took on the heavy-duty job of wheelbarrowing mulch down to the bottom of the allotment to prep the area for visiting school kids. Others got down and dirty with some weeding and continued the epic quest of digging out an area for a new pond.

Time flew by as we dug, weeded, and mulched, and before we knew it, it was time to head back. We made our way back to the Phoenix Cinema for a well-earned warmdown.

A big shoutout to everyone who came out to run, work up a sweat, and do some good. in particular to our new runners.Michaela and James

Remember, every step we take and every task we tackle makes a difference. See you at the next run!

Keep running and doing good!