Do you fancy running somewhere to do something good in the community, like a local superhero? A new group is offering you the chance to do just that: Getting fit and feeling good at the same time.
GoodGym Ealing was launched last night (Tuesday, 9 August) with a run from Ealing Broadway to Boston Manor Park in Hanwell, where the group of local volunteers then did some gardening to help the council’s park rangers make an area look nicer for visitors.
‘A really good concept’
It is looking for new members and Councillor Hitesh Tailor, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for health and adult services, was at the launch event. He said: “I have been supportive of the idea of GoodGym Ealing since I met the team behind it in 2015. It’s a really good concept that encourages a healthy lifestyle, volunteering and building links in the community. I’m talking to other council services to see how they can get involved and identify any community tasks or jobs that might be suitable. And that invitation is extended to any local voluntary or community organisations – so please do get in touch with GoodGym Ealing if you have something in mind. I was pleased to be at the launch event and hope we will all hear a lot more about GoodGym in the future.”
The registered charity has been operating elsewhere in London and is supported by the Big Lottery Fund. It has three purposes:
- Running in groups to do manual labour for community organisations
- Running to make social visits to isolated older people
- Running missions for older people – clearing gardens, changing lightbulbs and doing odd-jobs for people who struggle to do them alone.
GoodGym’s runs are supported by personal trainers and running coaches and, on its website, it claims: ‘We think that gyms are a waste of energy. There are many neglected tasks and people in our communities that need that energy. We want to bring these things together. We want to rival the success of gyms, getting people all over the world off treadmills and into their communities. ’
More information or to get involved
- Visit the launch webpage
- Visit the website
- Email getinvolved@goodgym.org
