We headed back to support the brilliant Bolton Lads & Girls Club at their Spa Road facility this week.

It was great to see the site thriving with young people inside and out and really satisfying to know we were contributing to creating a more welcoming environment for everyone by litter picking the main entrance area.

We finished off with a lap of nearby Queens Park - a great night all round! Thanks to Laurence for joining in!

Our latest community mission took us to a communal garden in Bromley Cross that had become overgrown and was in need of some TLC.

Over the course of 90 minutes Laurence and Rowan set to work removing a fallen tree, cutting back brambles (which fought back hard!), clearing weeds and pruning some of the trees and bushes.

Almost immediately the garden was looking like it had done in its glory days!

A real highlight was being joined by Mariam, an 84-year-old resident who lives in the cottage opposite the garden. Mariam's husband had built the garden walls and taken great pride in the garden many years ago and it was a real pleasure helping bring it back to life. Mariam shared vivid stories of her life and the area’s history, speaking fondly of a time when her toilet was located in the garden, recalling how she would wear a miner’s helmet with a lamp if she needed to go out during the night. She also recounted her years working in the nearby mill and shared early memories of wartime in Bolton.

Mariam even joined in with the garden clearance and was delighted with the progress we'd made in such a short time.

Last night’s GoodGym session saw a small but effective team making a big difference in the heart of Bolton Town Centre.

Laurence, Rowan and TaskForce member Mumtaz spent 45 minutes carrying out a site tidy up around the front of the Infinity Centre at Bolton Lads & Girls Club. The session was confidently led by Mumtaz, who set the tone and kept things moving throughout.

The group focused on clearing litter and improving the overall appearance of the frontage. By the end of the session, three large bags of litter had been filled. Alongside the usual hundreds of wrappers, cans and bottles, the team also uncovered some more unusual finds, including a huge sign and a hub cap.

The result was a visibly cleaner, more welcoming space for the young people, staff and community members who use the Infinity Centre every day. A great example of a short, focused task delivering clear and tangible impact.

A brilliant group of GoodGym volunteers braved the cold for a frosty morning run and litter pick at a local beauty spot. Wrapped up warm, we ran a hilly trail to our destination, crunching over frosty paths along the way.

Once there, we got stuck into a litter pick, helping to restore the area and keep it looking its best. The reward? Stunning views and some surprising winter sunshine to finish the session on a high. Cold hands, warm hearts, and a job well done.