As this is one of our furthest tasks we had a mix of runners and meet-you-therers.

Setting off promptly at 6.30, Andy backmarked from the front to save me having to guide us from google maps. Robert told us the unbeelievable requirements for his Guinness World Record attempt for Manchester marathon in a beekeepers suit. Martin went all the way to South America for months and hardly saw any of it? Slacker. Russell confessed all too late that he hates painting and may volunteer for leading to swerve future work.

We got to the community centre and the music was blasting, but we were there to dance with paintbrushes and not each other. Sallyann had picked the most awkward spot and Richard jumped behind the remaining desks to help. Leanne and Fay had started from either end of the room and we all jumped in the middle to get the job done.

More decorating on the cards for next week.

Andy and I did our bit for tree collection - Andy managed to be less white van driver this year. We also set the record for Farleigh's tallest ever tree collected, bagged ourselves a 13 footer!

This year’s treecycle will raise over £70,000—an absolutely fantastic achievement!

Farleigh Hospice has been providing care and support to anyone affected by life-limiting illness and bereavement in our local community for over 40 years. We support people affected by any life limited illness, including lung disease, neurological conditions, heart failure and cancer, and help people to live well and die well by providing physical and emotional care, and your kindness makes this possible.

It costs over £21,271 every day to provide the care we do to our local community across mid Essex. We are part funded by the NHS but still need the support of our community to help raise vital funds to enable us to continue providing care completely free of charge to those who need it.

7 GoodGymers turned out for a VERY chilly parkrun volunteering session. Rich dragged himself from his sick bed, where he's had a bad case of man-flu, to join us. He and Angela were barcode scanning. David and Andy tail walked while the rest of us slowly froze in our marshall positions. Robert also did a P Bee (I had to put this joke in for his benefit) in his mission to prepare for a guiness world record attempt in Manchester. You can follow his journey here

Afterwards we headed to Wetherspoons to defrost and have our traditional breakfast gathering. We'd just about thawed out before we all went out in the cold again to head home. Luckily we have some indoor tasks for the rest of the month. You can find out more and sign up here

I went to Farleigh donation site in chelmsford to drop off some stuff for them to raffle off to raise money for their excellent work.

Gave them wine and mugs. Sallyann and Fay gave toiletries. All helps!

they were very grateful and chatty. Christmas tree donation next!

5 goodgymers braved the new year cold

New year, new January challenge! After Rich said he was too unwell to lead I dragged my fragments of spine down eager to get some kms and good deeds towards the Jan challenge!

Andy was giddy when it started snowing, alas stopping about 30 seconds later. Fay couldn't resist grabbing extra pickers and bin bag rings I think in the hope some more GGers would show up!

We headed out to where Joel had assured us there would be litter but it was thin on the ground. It was great to have Martin back after his amazing sounding trip to South America and hear more about that.

As we meandered down to the edge of town we discussed the price of steak and Sallyann proclaimed sea bass the better dish. We are all eager to try guinea pig now though - apparently very rich and gamey.

See you Saturday - if the water in the park subsides!

Another 5 good deeds knocked off the tally! Great work!

On easily the coldest night of the year we ventured out to deliver a double message: 1. Recycle your Christmas tree and support Farleigh Hospice 2. Come to Goodgym!

There was a full moon and a variety of Christmas lights deviating the Avenues but our very own Joe out shone everyone. A beautiful sight to see running around Chelmsford!

The speedy delivery done it was Christmas Social time! I hope you all warmed up and thanks to Laurie for organising.