The Ickle Pickles charity who raise money for neo natal units in the area are struggling to raise funds as a lot of their usual sources are shut due to lockdown.

In preparation for events once things start to reopen they put out a request for raffle prizes.

As always, the GoodGym members did not disappoint with a huge variety of prizes donated: chocolates, biscuits, bath products, body creams, scarves, virtual workouts, books, toys and a whole heap of other things. Luckily the person collating it all for us doesn't live far from me as it was a lot to carry!!

Big thanks to all from Ickle Pickles!

WOW there were a lot of good deed GoodGymers out tonight.... I think we might have broken our own record (with the exception of the launch event). Great to see so many faces tonight.

Welcome to Holly, Kim, Reza, Fatima & Rohima on their first GoodGym good deed!

We had a bit of a task with a difference tonight as the task was brought to us so we didn't have to run anywhere... Holly works for the Ickle Pickles charity & was in need of many GoodGym hands.

Let's do the time wrap again...

We wrapped Lucky Dip presents, sorted many boxes of lego cards into packs of 10 and packed up some leaflets for the Bubble Run. If anyone wants to get involved with the Bubble Run - running or volunteering there's more info here.

A small group of 4 (Sophie, Jo, Lucy & Sam) also opted out of the boiling hot room and went out in the cooler evening to do a sweep up and litter pick at the front of the community centre as we'd noticed last week that there were rather a lot of cigarette butts on the ground. It definitely looks a lot better now!

After the task we split into a walking group (led by Tony) and a running group. The running group went down to the railway bridge to do a lung-bursting session of 6 x 8 second uphill sprints. Lots of enthusiasm and maybe a little bit of competitiveness creeping in! Good work by all! Bonus points as we were back in plenty of time to vacate the room for the MMA group too.

We have lots of other good deeds to get involved with before next Wednesday when we head to the deaf centre. On Saturday at 9 come and join us for Parkrun (don't forget your barcode), beach clean at Southsea at 10 - please sign up here if you are coming to make sure we get your good deed registered, AND a second community mission at 2pm in North End at the Naomi House shop, please make sure you sign up for that here if you are coming along.

See you all very soon. Thanks for a fun evening 😊

Don't forget to start your squat challenge on Friday.... (see Monday's email for details!)

Shakira and Charlotte got the ball rolling with our community missions, helping the Ickle Pickles set up for their family fun day at Portsmouth Rugby Club. Tasks included setting up the gazebos and stalls and getting ready for the families coming to enjoy the day later.

Thank you ladies, your help was really appreciated by the charity.

(Photos of the lovely ladies are from previous GG sessions!)

Our two GG Portsmouth stalwarts Mel and Jo hot-footed it to Portsmouth Rugby Club to help Ickle Pickles pack down after a sunny successful day of fundraising.

Tasks involved helping to take down gazebos, pack away folding tables, emptying bins and returning any rugby club table and chairs. Mel was the gazebo canopy folding queen!

Thank you ladies for flying the GoodGym flag and thanks from Holly too - it was a great help to have extra hands at the end of the day.

Tonight we were joined by GoodGym tourists, Deb and Paul, all the way from Bristol. We hope you enjoyed your little tour of Portsmouth! Check out their GG profile pages if you want an idea of all the different badges you can earn!

Also welcome back to Elly and Mark who have been busy for the last few weeks working (Elly) and holidaying (Mark!). Good luck to you both for the summer XC next Wednesday. Shakira was missing tonight as she has an IT exam... we all sent positive clever vibes her way for that! 1110000111010100011 <- good luck in binary (maybe)

Despite thinking I had carried LOADS of flyers down to GoodGym, the dream team quickly got to work whizzing down the streets of Baffins and popping fun day flyers through the doors of local residents. Next week I will bring some more so that you can flyer your block of flats / street / work.

Holly also needs people to help set up at 9:30 and pack down at 3pm on the day (Saturday 21st July)... this will count towards your good deed totals if you sign up as a community mission (2 links above).

Holly has already left us this message:

You guys are all amazing!! Thank you so much for leaflet dropping!! Ickle Pickles rely heavily on volunteers and we really appreciate your support. We are only a small charity but the equipment the neonatal units receive is fantastic!!

The efficient execution of the task meant that we had plenty of time for a snake around Baffins Pond - frightening the ducks and geese in the process! And a mexican wave plank circle (no tequila). We then headed along New Road and George Street for some last flyer drops before finishing in the church yard for a little bit of sprints and core work. Topically, with it being the world cup and everything, we were joined in the sprints by Ronaldino in his Barcelona shirt - or a young local lad who took on the mantle of pace setter!

Next week is a relatively short run so if you know anyone who is new to running this would be a good one for them. And all runners who are more experienced will also get a chance to stretch out.... something for everyone!