Kingston running group does late-night gardening for mental health charity

Members of a Kingston running group turned their gardening skills to potting plants at the Fircroft Trust in preparation for the charity’s open day.

Ten volunteers from GoodGym Kingston, a local fitness group, spent late Tuesday evening gardening at the Surbiton branch of the Fircroft Trust, a local charity which aims to help those with mental health problems and learning difficulties.

GoodGym Kingston is one branch of a national chain of running groups that combines exercising with local community work. It has previously helped clear charity allotments, move furniture and change light bulbs for elderly residents.

Mark Barun, the trainer for GoodGym Richmond and Kingston, said: “The transformation was immediately visible, and all this was done with a brisk 7km run.”

This was the second time that GoodGym Kingston visited the Fircroft Trust to help with the gardening, having helped them during the summer.

The Fircroft Trust helps those suffering from mental health problems and learning difficulties live independent lives. In recognition of World Mental Health Day on October 10, they hosted an open day to inform the people of Kingston about their work.

Ann Fowler, service administer at the Fircroft Trust, said the group were “very good” and “helped with the potting up of bulbs for sale during the winter”.

Anyone interested can register online at the GoodGym website and join its members on their regular Tuesday night run.

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