Watch us next to bikes, watch us next to bikes, watch us next to bikes.... RECYKE!

GOODGYM IS 10! What a brilliant way to celebrate, by doing good things with good people on a very good Monday evening. From our founder Ivo taking a newspaper to a friend to where GoodGym are now, making communities better, making friendships and fighting social isolation is certainly worthy of celebration. We had the chance to see the brilliant new GoodGym book and had a think about what we can do with our spare copy, before I shared a fantastic GoodGym speech listing the many ways you know you're a true GoodGym-er! It was brilliant having such a massive turn out for the #GG10 run, and amazing to welcome three new GoodGym Newcastle runners along for the night. Welcome Debbie, Sinead and Lou!

We had one of our favourite ever tasks tonight for our Group Run to Byker, where we were lending a hand to the brilliant organisation Recyke Y Bike. This great charity takes donated and abandoned bikes, fixes them up and sends them to schools in The Gambia. They also send bikes to Deerbolt Prison in County Durham where young offenders gain vital engineering skills refurbishing bikes alongside confidence and self-belief. Recyke Y Bike also runs formal and informal training on site and out in the community to give people the skills to keep their bikes safe and on the road. And if that's not enough, they also give bikes to children and adults in need in the North East! Phew!

We were met by brilliant Task Owner Sara after Andrew had hooked us up for this Group Run, who told us all of the great things Recyke Y Bike do, and introduced us to her not-so-fierce guard dogs. We very quickly got to work on the tasks in hand!

• Painting two sets of shutters (check out Aimee's brilliant before and after collage!)

• Wallpapering work benches and a feature wall using cycling magazines

• Sweeping and mopping the workshop floor

• Cleaning out the staff kitchen

• Cuddling dogs

We managed to give the huge workshop a massive makeover in just 40 minutes with the usual cries of "JUST A FEW MORE MINUTES!" when I called time was up! Sara was so pleased with what we managed to get done, and has already invited us back for future Group Runs and Community Missions. It was a quick change out of painting suits as we quickly gathered everyone together ready to dash to the Quayside for our #GG10 group photo before the sun had set. We are counting this dash as speed work and an unofficial fitness session as there was definitely some sprinting on show.

Look at how beautiful it looks tonight!

Thanks to several (hundred) attempts including a few by a random runner passing by, we achieved an iconic GGNCL photo for the 10th birthday. Look at that skyline!

We will be adding a last-minute community mission this Saturday for #GG10 Super Saturday so keep your eyes peeled for that one. Maddy is leading a lovely new Community Mission on Sunday at Jesmond Orchard if you'd like to get involved. I'm leaving you in the capable hands of Katy for a visit to Nunsmoor Centre next week where I am sure she will also have a most excellent fitness session for you all! Sign up for that here. There's a walking option next week too, so it's suitable for all.

Big thanks to everyone who was involved in such a special Group Run for #GG10 and to Paul for one of the most outstanding puns of all time.

Happy running, walking and good things,

Anji x

PS Shout out to Rachel and Dan keeping the GoodGym spirit alive with a spot of plogging in Spain tonight!