Undaunted by the bleak weather, 12 runners at the GoodGym braved the cold to help ETNA Community Centre in Richmond this week.

Members were finishing a job they started last year, which involved weeding around the centre and while the runners were “pelted by rain and a little icy wind”, they got the job done.

Task force run leader Elaine Williams said: “So, 2018 got off to a stomping start with old and new faces joining us for the inaugural run of the year.

“Let’s hope the weather is a bit kinder to us for the rest of January.”

GoodGym combines fitness and getting into shaping with helping the local community.

Instead of exercising at the gym, members meet weekly and run to help those in need.

The GoodGym in Richmond, which takes place on Mondays, also welcomed lots of new runners.

To join go to the website https://www.goodgym.org/areas/richmond

Elaine added: “We have a “starter” run in the calendar for Jan 13, if anybody you know is considering joining a GoodGym run but struggles with a Monday evening or wants to have a go with other newbies then this is the run for them.

“If you are already a GoodGym runner you can also use this to build up your mileage, so all welcome.”