A RUNNING group with a difference in York has been nominated for a Community Pride Award.

GoodGym York is in the running for a Best Community Project award after being nominated by the group’s trainer Egg Cameron.

It brings together runners who do good deeds in the community as part of their weekly group run or as missions at other times in the week.

Egg said: “It’s a social group and aims to tackle mental health by reducing isolation and welcoming all activity levels. They use the tasks to get fit whilst doing good.

“It’s an amazing group and some of the runners are paired with older people who they run to once a week for a social visit too.”

Aron Hinds, one of the runners, said: “I’ve really enjoyed being a part of GoodGym in York and you get a real sense that you’re helping people. It’s such a simple idea, and so easy for people to come along and make a real difference in the community.”


Another runner, Sean Coxhead, added: “The nomination for Goodgym is fantastic news. It’s been a great experience. The other volunteers are all so enthusiastic and friendly. It’s a great group of people.”
 

The group, which was only launched at the end of January this year, has already helped with many local community projects.

So far it has cleaned graffiti in Tang Hall, completed gardening tasks for Fulford Social Hall and Tang Hall Community Centre, and helped the residents at Marjorie Waite Court, off Burton Stone Lane, to build an accessible garden.

It has also litter picked as part of the Big Spring Clean, topped up bark in a play area in Clifton and completed conservation projects at St Nicks nature reserve.

In addition, it helped plant fruit trees to create a substantial orchard for residents at Alex Lyon House, a sheltered housing site in Fifth Avenue, Tang Hall.

The group currently has 26 members, but also has people who regularly take part in runs who have not yet become members.

As well as York, GoodGym groups are well established at various other locations in the UK.

The Best Community Project accolade in the 2016 Community Pride Awards went to Dementia Forward for their important work.

The Awards are run by The Press in partnership with City of York Council and the primary sponsor is York-based healthcare organisation Benenden. All nominees must live in, or contribute to life in, the City of York Council area.

Entries can be submitted to York Community Pride Awards, The Press, 84-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN.

You can also nominate online at yorkpress.co.uk/communitypride.

The closing date for entries is Friday, July 21. You must include a supporting statement of no more than two sides of A4, and may include a picture, which unfortunately we will be unable to return.