Another evening of being suspiciously thin on the ground but a small and perfectly formed group gathered tonight, which included our fab run leader Richard for his first Strawberry Lane session. It was great having him back!

The task tonight had actually been changed twice behind the scenes (an area activator’s work is never done) but on hearing that our Urban Green Newcastle friends are struggling at times to keep on top of the litter and jobs in Leazes Park we took advantage of an otherwise free night to head there armed with litter pickers and lights, to lend a hand.

I’d been warned about the Northern Lights festival set up so we decided to walk the perimeter of the park and look for an open entrance. As it happened, there was so much litter to collect on the way there and around the paths to the Town Moor, that it didn't matter too much when we discovered we weren’t able to get in at all! There were so many cans and bottles, a few of which were accidentally opened on their way into the bags that by the end of the session my gloves were soaked with (I hope) beer! The hot topic tonight was parkrun and we shared many tales of volunteer memories and favourite courses. It was really nice tonight to do the whole session as a group!

Before long we had collected two very full bags of rubbish and clocked up lots of steps to start our weeks off right.

Damu is looking after the session next Monday and as always lots of jobs will be waiting at Stepney Bank Stables so come and get involved in that if you can.

Seven goodgymers helped Urban Green with bulb planting in St Lawrence Park on a crisp and damp autumn morning.

Urban Green supplied a massive bag of daffodil bulbs which when thrown over a shoulder the wearer looked a lot like an economical santa delivering the present of future flowers.

The actual task was pretty simple anyone taking a channel of a grass slope each and dig a hole for the bulb and then cover it back over. After a tea break half way though we moved on to another grass area in the park where we all took a a section and planned a strip of bulbs.

Unfortunately no before and after pictures as the daffodils will flower in the spring or possibly the one after if deep enough! Hopefully we will get to see the fruits, or flowers, of our labour then.

We are back helping Urban Green in Elswick Park the 16th of November if you want to come along and get involved!

It didn’t actually feel that long since we were last at WERS, the brilliant West End Refugee service, and when I looked at tonight’s sign ups it gave me a sense of Deja vu! The only new addition was Jack, and a great new addition he was. We met at One Strawberry Lane, our brilliant hub which I think will just get cosier as winter creeps in.

The standard quick catch up on the weekend’s sessions and news before it was time to set off. As it was almost even split of runners and walkers, I decided to flip the session tonight and do the fitness session first, making good use of St James’ Park steps! Heart rates raised and legs definitely feeling warmer, we then made it the short journey uphill to WERS where thankfully everything we needed was waiting for us. WERS is an amazing organisation in the west end, supporting refugees in our city with all kinds of support they need. We’d been asked back tonight to continue clearing and tidying up the back garden.

Tonight was one of those simple, satisfying tasks that truly made a difference. Under the epic floodlights- expertly perched in the trees thanks to Tom, we armed ourselves with rakes and brushes and set about clearing the garden which was almost knee-deep in leaves. Everyone put their backs into it while discussing the Halloween weekend gone by.

Before long the paths and gardens were cleared and the grass was once again visible. I think the task owner and service users will definitely see a difference tomorrow. This was one of those classic GoodGym sessions where team work makes a real impact.

On a calm Sunday morning in Mowbray Park, four GoodGymers voluteered at junior parkrun.

Circumstances were a little unusual due to Sunderland's Festival of Light being set up in the park, with some fairground rides and food stalls present. Unfortunately some Saturday night attendees had littered the park, but Paula came to the rescue armed with a litter picker to clear up as much of the mess up as possible.

Richard, Tanya and Debbie also enjoyed a successful morning of volunteering, as well as a long chat over a cup of tea afterwards.

After an extremely tiring working week, today was a welcomed day off. I was very much looking forward to getting back into the Goodgym flow.

Michael and I met on a misty Sunday afternoon at Teams life centre. Armed with a stack of leaflets each and trying not to get lost in the number of cul-de-sac estates, we went upon our quest.

Today, we were delivering leaflets for Foodcycle. They are a brilliant charity who help to provide a warm meal for anybody who would like one. I liked it how on the leaflet it says, "no need to book, just turn up".

I chose the time of 14:00 as I thought it would still be light and then the sun would be setting as I drove home. This was not the case today and the clouds obscured the view. I am sure a couple of miles down the road there would have been a spectacular sky display.

It was a leisurely stroll today, taking in the beautiful autumnal vibes.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday everyone!

Everyone is welcome to the next Goodgym mission tomorrow:

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/group-run-tbc-791825b0-df75-4444-b60e-aadcd11edd15?legacy=true

Armed with a bin bag and litter picker, I marched around Mowbray Park tidying up after the previous night’s festivities for Sunderland’s Illuminations. A lot of mess but a lot of fun.

So much fun I continued the pick all the way through town, across the bridge and right to my door.

I think I earned a slice of birthday cake 🎂