3 GoodGymers supported the Junior Park Run this morning.

Vanessa made sure no one was left behind as tail runner and gave invaluable encouragement to those at the end who were absolutely beaming as they crossed the finish line.

Frazer heroically tapped his phone every time someone crossed the line. This may sound like a small thing, but with near freezing temperatures keeping your hands out of pockets is a big sacrifice, and it means a lot to the runners to be able to get their time recorded and sent to them each week.

Louise was on Run Directing duties and was pleased to see 79 runners complete the run with no incidents!

Next task is flyering for the charity Mind in town this Tuesday evening. Come and help us if you can.

3 GoodGymers met to tackle some of the litter in our city.

We were amazed at the number of cigarette butts we found and wondered what would need to happen to stop people leaving them on the ground.

I like to think we helped people on their way into town work this morning feel a little more positive about their town, and that fewer animals were harmed by litter last night.

As well as being productive I found it a very educational GoodGym, learning a lot about East Anglia and education from Vanessa and Ray!

This Sunday we are helping out with the Junior Park Run and then on Tuesday we are delivering leaflets for Mind. Sign up now if you can!

4 GoodGymers met with 4 Colchester in Bloom volunteers to add some spring colour to the planters in town.

We were tasked with removing litter and weeds, then adding some new flowers into the boxes at the top of the high street, so be sure to admire them next time you go past.

After a conversation about mine, and AI's inability to come up with puns, and also whether Jonny Cash sang a version of The Gambler (he did) I'm afraid the title is the best I could come up with!

We noted the large amount of litter around the high street while doing the planting and so next week's task is to help remove some of it around town. Sign up to help us if you can!

A dry and misty start in Colchester, for this week's junior parkrun. Louise was at the helm, run directing, with the rest of the team marshalling around the park. With additional support from the Duke of Edinburgh award volunteers, plus lots of regular helpers, the event was well staffed, and everyone did their bit to encourage the runners and walkers. Colchester junior parkrun is always looking for folk to help ensure that the event runs safely and smoothly, but it is a lot of fun and very easy. Email the volunteer coordinator, to get involved.

Well done everyone for supporting nature this weekend. Remember to upload your findings to the RSPB website, when you get a moment. There's a live leaderboard; with two million birds recorded so far..... what will be the final tally?! Full results will be published in a few months time. Thank you for getting involved, I hope you enjoyed your birdwatching.

A chilly evening in Colchester was brightened up by some litter picking action around the streets and past the college by six goodgymers. We received some thank you's from passers by, chatted about all kinds of things, and admired the local runners doing reps up the hill. This weekend, whilst drinking tea and eating biscuits indoors - do an hour's birdwatch for the RSPB. Sign up to the task on the website - the perfect goodgym mission!!