Gym group carries out 700 good deeds while keeping fit

A GYM which combines good deeds with exercise has completed nearly 700 charitable missions since it launched six months ago.

GoodGym Cardiff opened in May and has seen more than 80 runners join the franchise, which combines working out with community projects.

Since it opened the group has had a huge impact, carrying out 664 good deeds including odd jobs for older people and helping out with charity work.

Lead trainer Ben Annear said: “It’s amazing to see the difference we have made, how much the group has grown, and how much people involved like it and come back on a regular basis. It definitely feels like we are part of a family. We always welcome new members and there are people that come regularly with us.”

GoodGym works by offering runners the chance to take part in three different tasks organised by the gym. There are group runs where together they run to community projects across the city and help out for about 40 minutes while fitting in a workout.

Another activity, coach runs, sees participants visit isolated people, while mission runs see them run to visit older people to help with odd jobs like gardening or DIY.

So far the group has completed more than 20 mission runs and 30 group runs. And there are several people who have linked up with and built relationships with lonely people in the area through doing regular coach runs. Group runs take place every week.

The group has helped to clean out a counselling room for Headway Cardiff, spruced up parts of Rookwood Hospital and worked for Keep Wales Tidy, the Grangetown community hub and the YMCA.