Newcastle

Group run

Skipping the slight ranktastic

32 GoodGymers made their way 7.0km to help the Byker Community Centre in Newcastle.

  • Emily
  • Liz Bennett
  • Charlotte Proud
  • Oli Williams
  • Anji Andrews
  • Paul Andrews
  • Newcastle runner
  • Maddy Winnard
  • Dan
  • Rachel
  • Kate Aspray
  • Emma Davies
  • Carol Anne Mclachlan
  • Michael Wisely
  • Nick Lavin
  • Kate Hutt
  • David Brown
  • Andrew Robson
  • Sarah Wane
  • Leanne Salem
  • Faye Shepherd
  • Newcastle runner
  • Christina Masiak
  • Abigail Timms
  • Jon
  • Nina Jensen
  • Mary Martin
  • Zahrah Ramtoola
  • Kat Truong
  • Bill Milbourne
  • HM Juggins
  • Kenny McCormick
 
Monday, 4th of February 2019
 
Led by Anji Andrews
she/her

It was awesome to welcome along a team in sky blue from the fabulous Claremont Road Runners tonight as they popped along to GoodGym Newcastle in place of their usual Monday night club run to see what we are all about. It was so great to see how quickly you all "got it" and got involved and we'd love to have you back any time! Thanks Nina for organising this mini mash-up. Click on the link to find out more about this fab local running club.

While we were famously getting our mugs on telly after ITV filmed us last week, GoodGym life went on and we did what we do every Monday, meeting up at Hotel Indigo, with a quick catch up, warming up with a silly game and heading off into the night to do good deeds. It was an extra-special night as everyone's favourite Route Master and all-round top husband of mine Paul was celebrating his birthday. For those who didn't come tonight, you missed CAKE. And there was loads of it.

For my 50th Good Deed tonight we had a brilliant new task at Byker Community Association organised by ace task forcer Dan. We had one big job to do: sort out THE ROOM OF DOOM by helping to clear out a cupboard, forming a human chain to transport piles of random stuff to a waiting skip. The human chain is always a firm favourite of ours as we passed down everything from a spirit level, a mannequin, loads of out of date drinks and in Paul's words, "something rank, I don't even know how to describe the smell". Task owner Rowena was delighted with our help, as the cupboard was cleared in under 20 minutes.

YOU ARE ALL AMAZING!

Rowena gave us a fabulous background history of the centre and told us all about the brilliant activities that bring the community together in Byker in the famous wall. The clear out that is currently taking place will allow the team there to create a reading room where they will host beam-back bedtime story readings for children in refugee camps. How life-changing is that? It was great that we were able to make such an impact and I know we will be back.

I changed my original plan for the fitness session tonight when I saw the tables and chairs set up in the main hall that were begging for some fit competitive people to play a game of musical chairs on them (with a fitness twist, obviously). All manner of competitive game play ensued with moments including Emma grabbing a chair from under Sarah (literally), Nick jumping into chairs in absolute ninja fashion, and an edge to Charlotte storming into winning seats we have never seen before! The fitness forfeits were also creative and fun, my favourite being Dave's step ups on the chair while he waited his turn to come back in.

In the end, it was Emma who was victorious, declaring "I HAVE NEVER WON AT MUSICAL CHAIRS IN MY LIFE!" leaving me a little sad I didn't have a lolly or something for her.

Three top elements achieved: heart rate up, out of breath and laughing our heads off.

I've shared a great live video on our Facebook page that was posted on Byker Community Association's FB of everyone during the task that I hope you all enjoy.

It's another new task next week as we trot off to help out with a huge kitchen clear-up at Newcastle Cricket Club. Get involved and you might even get to play childrens' party games by way of exercising. Sign up Here

Have a great week,

Anji x

Report written by Anji Andrews


Discuss this report

sign in to add a comment

Anji Andrews
Led by Anji Andrews

Area Activator at GoodGym Newcastle. Coach, runner, wife. I wrote a book once and I talk about that quite a lot.

GoodGymers helping out
  • Back marker

    Make sure that no one is left behind

    • Carol Anne Mclachlan

Share the love

Become a member

with an optional monthly donation

  • Run, walk, or cycle to help older people
  • Access sessions across the country
  • Claim your GoodGym t-shirt

Need help with a community project?

If you're a community organisation and have a physical task then we'd like to help.

Request a task

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more