Sheffield has the first 'speed volunteers' in the north of England

Good Gym Sheffield is a weekly running group who stop mid-session to lend a helping hand to community projects.

The group launched this week and is the first of its kind in the north of England, with 26 other clubs operating further south.

Earlier this week 23 active do-gooders sped up to Carfield Primary School to help Danny, the caretaker, to clear an area of the school’s garden of weeds.

Within 30 minutes they’d weeded the area as well as fitting in some hill training on the school’s slopes.

Stephen King, who runs the Sheffield group, said: “A thankful school mum came along to thank our team. This was a personal highlight for me as it just showed the impact we can have. Just brilliant.”

Next Monday the club will head to Heeley City Farm to help work on a sustainable housing project.

Aside from running to carry out manual labour for community projects, Good Gym groups also run to make social visits to isolated older people and do odd-jobs for people who struggle to do them alone.

Good Gym Sheffield is the newest addition to the not-for-profit charity which has 27 clubs across the UK.