Tonight 10 GoodGymer's ran or cycled 6km to Pilling Park Community Centre.

It was our first visit to this venue, and we were there to support Lionwood Cycle Project - of which Jonathan is a member - who provide regular drop in bike servicing sessions.

The task was to clear a storage container of large unwanted items including 3 fridge / freezers, an ice cream box and hostess trolley! Using a sack barrow they were all moved to the front entrance, ready to be collected by the council for recycling.

Other items such as chairs and shelving will be reused or re-homed. So the task was over in a flash.

We will hopefully be back at this venue in the future to support the community cafe and other local groups.

On a drizzly Saturday morning six Goodgymers ran or cycled to help the local community Green Hearts group and the wonderful Common Lot gang at the Valpy Allotments.

These local groups are trying to transform a lot of the overgrown and tangled plots so they can be utilised.

We were set to work with rakes, wheelbarrow and loppers and in the space of an hour we had cleared brambles and helped organise the space. Getting our steps in whilst also running rubbish up to the skip.

Luckily the rain held off and as a reward we were treated to homemade ginger and rhubarb muffins in the beautiful Common Lot lodge and we also got to admire their lovely community garden.

Tonight 8 GoodGymers ran 6km to support the Phoenix Centre. They needed a new coat of paint - 'Lime Zest' in one room, and 'Cotton Grey' in another.

I read a "Zest for life" is the energetic, enthusiastic, and optimistic approach to daily experiences, characterized by feeling alive, motivated, and engaged.

As a key component of positive psychology, it involves treating life as an adventure, enhancing resilience, and reducing burnout.

It can be cultivated through mindfulness, gratitude, and purposeful action.

Well I think that sums up a lot of what we achieve by volunteering at GoodGym!

Care was taken to complete the task without paint splashes or blurred edges. In an hour the green room was completed and the grey wall had its first coat.

We will be back with further zest next month to continue the paint job.