... OK, "Global Group Run" was a bit of a stretch, but with 300 miles between our farthest-flung litter picks, it feels pretty massive!

Our northern-most pick was in the Lake District with Sarah and Wilson. It looked like a very scenic walk, apart from the fake toenail, smelly sock and pair of underpants they found!

Down in Sherwood Forest, Dave started his day with a run and a litter pick, whilst Jen's was more gentle, with a post-dinner stroll.

Katie L misled a beach full of children whilst photographing litter in a rock pool down in Devon.

Hannah smashed out two litter picks in Southampton, whilst our remaining GoodGymers kept the streets of Portsmouth, Southsea and Emsworth clean.

Fantastic job everyone, great work keeping the spirit of GoodGym alive whilst I'm on holiday!

Lots to do at City farm this evening, getting ready for the open day this weekend! We split into groups to get everything done, including moving a huge pile of wood chips across the farm, creating wildlife booklets and filling hundreds of bags of hay. We also met the friendliest kitten in the world, who was very involved in everything. Half the group met up to run to the task, others cycled in and Beth added a little extra adventure by going to the wrong farm first!

Our final balsam bash of the 2026 season included a mega litter-pick and too many nettle stings to count! At first it looked like there wasn't much balsam to pick but once you spotted one plant there was always more to follow. There were lots of smaller ones coming back through and a few flowering, but fortunately still no seeds ready to pop. The undergrowth had us going on a right adventure clambering over fallen trees and skirting around nettles. I wasn't sure if everyone would find their way back out at the end! A head count revealed we hadn't lost anyone and had gained many bug bites along the way! We'll see you same time, same place next year :)

Maple joined me to put the tail into tailwalking today, while Steph completed her first parkwalk, speedy Hannah and Orla ran and scanned, Beth joined for her second GG and fastest 5k of the year, and Sarah represented us in the middle of the pack! Afterwards we went to our favourite refill shop where we help litter pick, Lemon and Jinja, for refreshments.

This evening’s GoodGym task was a really special one, as we celebrated our 3rd birthday back at Aldermoor Farm, the very place where GoodGym Southampton began three years ago! Before we even lifted a tool, Ellie was busy dishing out birthday headwear. Bunny ears, birthday hats, tiaras and even a chicken were among the options, all enthusiastically (?) worn by the group. We paused for a group photo holding a birthday banner, making it clear from the outset that this was a special evening for us all.

We had a fantastic turnout and a real mix of GoodGymers, which made the evening even more meaningful. It was lovely to see Hannah, Lauren and Derek, who we hadn’t seen for a while and also to have people who have only started their GoodGym journey this year with us, alongside members who have been with us right from the beginning — a brilliant reminder of how welcoming and supportive GoodGym is. We also welcomed Jason from GoodGym Leeds, who happened to be visiting Southampton and decided to enjoy a spot of GoodGym tourism while he was here.

We had been set a task to cut back the big hedges which had become very overgrown, along with removing the sycamores, pruning the willow, cutting back plants to widen the paths and litter‑picking outside the farm. Just as we had started, we were joined by a journalist from the Daily Echo, who had come along to find out more about what GoodGym is all about. Wilson and Ellie both happily chatted away about how wonderful GoodGym Southampton is, while other members shared their own GoodGym journeys and what being part of the group means to them.

The task was completed and the area we had cut backed looked much better. Then to make the celebration complete, Ellie treated us all to cake. It was a perfect way to end a brilliant evening.

I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last three years. We really are a wonderful team of beautiful people, all happy to give back and support the community around us. Fingers crossed that when we make the front page, that message comes across loud and clear (though not sure the wacky headwear will help - just glad i wasn't a chicken 🐔)

This was a great task - with GG members from Leicester and Portsmouth also joining in and some new members locally!

Yoyo enjoyed a litter pick along Chilworth Road saying it was good, easy to organise, and it felt great contributing to the community.

Nick from Leicester litterpicked a road into Asfordby village. Two bags of grot plus 2/3 bag of crushed cans left at the wombles Air Ambulance appeal collection point. Adding to the £17k raised so far by collecting and weighing in the cans from across the borough!

Judy from Portsmouth GG tried to litter pick the sandy beaches of Jersey - thought they were very clean so finding litter was tricky!

Jane from Portsmouth GG tidied up the bushes at Milton Park - but wasnt able to catch any of the big big bubbles floating past as she did so!

Sarah filled two bags with litter whilst walking along the River Itchen near Brambridge.

Dave from Portsmouth GG picked locally in Pompey.

Amanda did her litter pick on the way to the pub - sounds like my kinda litter pick!

Ellie filled a bag local to where she lives - not just from her garden!

Wilson filled a bin bag just from her 10 min walk home from work - sad but true.

All these litter picks build up and help to keep our environment clean 😊😊😊