This task brought with it some good memories and a sad goodbye. Over the last 2 years GG Luton has supported projects at the Square Garden in Leagrave Park and sadly, the venue is being closed and opened up as a refurbished public space by the local authority. This meant that there was lots of equipment that needed packing away into shipping containers for safe keeping. Before getting stuck in on this task, I went for a 5k run with Lizzy which was nice as it was on a route we hadn't run together before. We did a loop around the estate and back to the park. When arrived back at the park, David, Tigger and the always smiling Abim were hard at work loading bits and bobs onto trolleys to wheel over to the container. As we were all present by this point, we set about the biggest task, moving the inflatable stage (already deflated). We all chipped in to get it onto a flatbed trolley and we had it safely put away in the container before you could say, " did Martinbring the cake". The answer of course was, YES. Well, some cheeky vienesse whirls. This was just to toast my recent GG milestone. So after helping to pack up the remaining items, including the marquee the project had been using. We all shared a delicious sweet treat and toasted a job well done. Great effort team, well done 👏

On this week's group run we welcomed Pam to the team after recruiting her at last weeks session. After the intro and warm-up we headed out to Holy Trinity Church, for our second go at a good spring clean.

We polished the pews, took Henry Hoover up the aisle and dusted off the organ pipes and the cobwebs up on the rafters.

With everything shiny and smelling of polish we did a workout in the aisle, walking lunges, star jumps, squats and press ups got the blood pumping in preparation for the return journey back into town.

I have no doubt that an organization like this in Luton will help a lot of vulnerable people and those who are homeless with food. Although I have been living in Luton for more than two years and have not had the opportunity to volunteer until last year with Good Gym, I am sure that the Good Gym team is great and kind people. However, this is the first time I have had the opportunity to volunteer with FOOD CYCLE, so my feelings were wonderful, amazing, gorgeous, magnificent, fabulous, terrific, fantastic. Though this opportunity was late, let me answer this question: why do I want to be a volunteer? I am a frank and straightforward man, so I want to make new friends, share ideas, help poor people, be active, support my community, enhance my skills, strengthen my CV, and improve my mental health.

Making the most of a sunny Saturday morning, our team of 8 joined the regular Friends of People's park for a thorough tidy up of the playing field and the woods.

Splitting up in pairs we covered the whole park in an hour, collecting six bags of rubbish and three bags of cans for recycling!

Afterwards we rewarded ourselves with a visit to Lagoa Cafe for coffees and chats with our newest members.

We were joined this week by Ibrahim for his first taste of a group run after doing a few community missions. Martin took the lead to complete his Fitness Leader training and we headed off on a 4km journey to All Saint's Church, where Fr David and his team of garden helpers awaited the arrival of Goodgym help.

The Church's allotment area needed tidying up and readying for some fresh planting, now the warmer weather has finally arrived! We dug out the weeds, cut down overgrown shrubs and dismantled knackered old trellises, leaving the whole garden much tidier and two beds of soft black earth ready for planting.

Before we left Martin led us on a quick fitness blast of squats, planks and walking lunges, a good warm up for the return journey back into town.