Candlelight at the end of the polytunnel

It's been eight years since the very first GoodGym Ealing group run to Boston Manor Park on the 9th August 2016. Such a chunk of history had to be celebrated with style!

A thank you to our supporters

• The venue was kindly provided to us by The William Hobbayne Charity at their community space.
• The birthday cake and snacks were supplied by June Martin from the charity.
• The local pub The Green W7 donated their delicious wood-fired pizza to feed all of us!

Sevan volunteered to drop from the running group of tonight's group run to run to our task and party venue with a peculiar companion - a giant golden "8" helium balloon, causing a sensation amongst Hanwell children.

Mike did the honour of blowing the candle as the longest-serving Ealing GoodGymer at tonight's party, and Milly brought some GoodGym-themed bits and bobs for everyone, donated by the previous leader of our GoodGym, Liv.

What makes us great?

After the birthday speeches, the guests were asked to share with everyone what they think makes GoodGym Ealing great. Here are some facts:

• How nice everyone is
• Having a shared purpose
• The people
• The company
• The passion of all Ealing GoodGymers
• Socialising
• Seeing a group of people spending time to give and help
• It's the people, of course!
• Being able to volunteer with lots of great projects thanks to GoodGym
• The "good" in GoodGym Ealing

Let the games begin!

After last year's quiz, Kash and Sevan decided to up their game and have three teams (Harvey's Angels, Amaretti and W7 Men) compete in four disciplines:

• I Spy, a warm-up silly game. Our fitness leaders never forget about warm-ups, right?)
• Build a polytunnel from recycled materials (think milk bottles, a rainproof poncho, pastel de nata packaging, egg boxes, etc.) in 10 minutes. Every GoodGymer involved in setting up the real-life polytunnel at Western Road in Southall can attest that such a task can be more demanding than it seems!
• Take a photo with as many mouths and as few noses and shoulders on it as possible.
• Write a GoodGym-themed haiku.

All the teams showed fantastic teamwork and unbridled creativity, GoodGym Ealing style.

Here is to the next 8 great years! 🍻