On Tuesday evening, while rescuing misplaced Christmas trees, I logged my 100th GoodGym good deed.

I joined GoodGym Brighton in April 2022. I liked the idea of learning more about my local community by helping out. I had found the group before when looking for volunteer opportunities but remember feeling nervous. I wasn’t a runner, and I wondered if walking to tasks would be an option. As it turned out, I was warmly welcomed and quickly learned that not everyone runs to every task. Some run, some walk, some cycle, and some use public transport. By the end of my first session, I was encouraged to try running. My excuse that I was too old was kindly and appropriately dismissed, and so I gave it a go.

100 good deeds later, I’ve learned so much about my local community, including discovering some amazing organisations I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. I’ve gained strength and fitness, and I’ve met a group of kind and supportive people.

Thank you GoodGym!