A heart-op? No that can't be right , the phones were out of order!
15 GoodGymers made their way 5.0km to help the Eco Op in Kingston upon Thames.
- Tuesday, 17th of July 2018
- Led by Mark Barun
Oh my GOODness i am still buzzing from tonight's run, tasks and visitors!
15 of us met at Guildhall where we welcomed newcomer Rob on tonight's run and Claire on her second run
When does a Run Trainer look very lonely? When the rest of us are just laughing at him while he thinks we are right behind. Ha Ha Ha! Good one Nicky O. However, he got us back by making us do some pretty crazy moves, see video below.
This time, we weren't following the leader...ha ha ha! #volunteering #Kingston #running #greattime #doinggood pic.twitter.com/wCxPuhqOMP
— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) July 17, 2018
After the fun it was time for the run, off we went around Kingston only to pause for a "must have" photo opportunity on London Road with the famous red post boxes!
Ok enough messing around! Just a few more meters to Eco-op where half of the group would stay to do good. Eco-op is a worthy cause providing daytime activities for adults with learning disabilities in Kingston and the surrounding Boroughs, helping to ease social isolation and provide life skills. Our challenge for this evening was to clean the central courtyard of weeds and rubbish as well as remove the chalk from the walls and open up the main entrance which had been overgrown by bushes. The 8 runners quickly split up into pairs and set to work on every square inch of the project. We removed railings that had been taking up space, washed down all the brickwork and cleared away all the rubbish to make it safer for the clients who visit. We were a wonderful whirlwind of activity and before we knew it the courtyard was sparkling, bushes were tamed and the task was complete!
The rest of the group ran on a bit further to Eden Walk to the new British Heart Foundation store. Which will be the largest BHF store in the country and we are predicting the largest charity shop! This was the old Primark and BHS site so it is BIG! and it needs to be , they have an amazing array of stuff that has kindly been donated, some of it brand spanking new! So its big, really big and therefore we got our steps in and kept Strava on!
At the shop we were free to "merchandise" , setting out the products so they would look appealing to the customer. Our tactics included matching cushions with corresponding colours on sofas, arranging display pieces ( which included mini London Road phone boxes) and placing two deer door stops in a welsh dresser ....beautiful! The store will be opening on 31st July.
We just made it back in time to be greeted by Paddington the puppy! A lovely way to end a great night.
Looking forward to next week already. Can Paddington come again?
Report written by Nicky West
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Led by Mark Barun
Run Trainer for Richmond & Kingston. Qualified Personal Trainer & Sports Coach, check out barunfitnessandmartialarts.co.uk
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Clearing up the pond at Claremont Gardens
Tuesday 18:30 - 20:30
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Kingston Quaker Centre
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