Last night 5 members of Goodgym Croydon along with Lizzie from "trees for streets" met for our weekly group session. This week were were out and about in Addiscombe East ward delivering leaflets to the residents about Trees for Streets. Before we set off and following LIzzie's briefing there was one very important achievement to acknowledge, it was Callum's 10th good deed, credit to our friends in Wandsworth also as he started with them before moving to Croydon and wasn't too scarred and broken from Ana's fitness sessions.

Trees for Streets and Croydon Council are working together to get more trees planted in the borough. Why some may ask? * to help tackle climate change and pollution * improve the health of the residents and those who work, study and socialise in the borough * leave a legacy that will last for generations * create a haven for wild life * make the borough a nicer place to live, study, work and play

The name said it all Trees for Streets, but there is a lot more to it than just planting trees on the streets as Lizzie informed us.

This also wasn't Lizzie's first outing with Goodgym promoting Trees for Streets either, she informed us that she had a similar outing with Tower Hamlets and they delivered 2,100 on the first outing and 1,100 on the second. I felt like the challenge had been set, not that we are competitive but its always good to have a number to work towards. With the threat of torrential rain and 6 members we delivered 650 leaflets, Lizzie did point out that the groups she went with in Tower Hamlets had more participants so we were definitely better than them.(not to mention that we have convinced her to move to Croydon, should she decide to ever move again plus we will be her home area despite not living in Croydon)

While out leafleting we encountered a few members of the community interested in what we were doing which we were happy to tell them about, however one gentleman took a liking to us and started videoing/taking pictures while muttering away. We did tell him what we were doing however, he clearly did not hear what we said and mistook us as canvasing for a political party, with whom he had some negative history so wasn't very complementary! He finally listened to what we were saying, that we were not canvasing for any political party and that we were promoting Trees for Streets. He swiftly apologized for his rant and commended us on what we were doing got in his car honked the horn and off he went. I wonder if he will be contacting Trees for Street for a tree?

Have you noticed there is a monster invasion in Croydon?

Paul has set you all a challenge, you can run, walk, cycle or scoot your way around the borough to see how many you can find, how many there are I do not know but I am interested to find out. Winners will be presented with their prize and trophy at the next social. Please post your photos in the WhatsApp group if you are not a member of the WhatsApp group and would like to join please get in touch with me or a task force member.

Next week we will be heading to St Augustine's Sign up here