if there's any truth at all in this well known saying then 5 Bath Goodgymmers will be feeling very good indeed after helping out at Grow for Life's annual Apple Day. Apples were washed, chopped, mashed and juiced ready for pasteurising, compost was turned, music was enjoyed and crafts admired. At the end of the event we helped to clean up and pack everything away, a great couple of hours with lovely people.

I’ve been helping out with GoodGym at Odd Down Junior Parkrun for more than five years now and you’d have thought I’d have got the hang of it by now. But it seems there is still more to learn. In a good way!

It’s great to encourage the young runners as they make their way round the cycle track with a high five. We celebrate their achievement so far and encourage them on their challenge but, until Sunday, I had no idea that there is so much more to a foam hand. By that I mean the magic of the “power-up”. Just like in a computer game, a touch of the marshal’s hand can give a welcome energy boost and see the athletes onto personal bests. How good is that?

Thanks to Tanya for joining me in the magic of marshalling. Together with the other Parkrun volunteers we saw 127 children meet their 2km target - with the odd power-up helping them on their way.

Goodgymmers were welcomed by blue sky and a spitfire flypast at Brickfields parkrun so it was already a great day before we'd even got going! Having been assigned our marshaling points the run director gave us brief instructions, all while an inflatable birthday cake was getting ready in the background - a bit surreal for a Saturday morning. Out on the course we cheered a record number of participants along their way, including the aforementioned cake which arrived at the finish line to much applause. A happy couple of hours well spent in great company helping a wonderful health initiative. Volunteering at parkrun is very easy and everyone is welcoming and supportive, so why not give it a try next time, it's a piece of cake!

Many hands made light work at Grow for Life's Walled Garden when 6 Bath Goodgymmers arrived to help tackle various jobs in this wonderful walled garden used for therapeutic horticulture sessions. The hedge line was cleared of weeds ready for trimming, compost was turned, a mountain of woodchip was tamed and there were many trips to the dead hedge across the lane in the orchard with all of the debris created! Thanks to all and congratulations to Daniel on your first official Goodgym task too!