Goodgym founder and CEO Ivo Gormley has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Honours list for services to Social Enterprise.
Ivo began running to visit his older neighbour in 2007, and from this initial idea he has overseen its growth into a national network comprising 25,469 participants and approaching its 400,000th task.
GoodGym is active in 65 areas across England and Wales, building stronger, healthier, and more connected communities through purposeful exercise.
Ivo commented: “The achievements of GoodGym are an extraordinary collaborative effort and this award reflects the effort of literally thousands of people.
“I am hugely grateful and proud to be part of the incredible community of people that make GoodGym what it is and who have taught me so much. It is a continued joy to be surrounded by people who are committed to getting out there and making positive change happen where they live, and to challenge the norms of what exercise can be, and who it is for.
“With growing screen time and polarisation, our work which is sometimes messy and difficult, is more important. Real connection and community are worth fighting for and this is encouragement for us to push forward and make more happen, to keep helping to realise ideas of what more sustainable and connected communities might be.”
He added: “I am lucky to be supported by an incredible and inspiring team of staff, area activators and trustees who work to make this community thrive.”
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