Black-ened Decker-ing

It was another brand new task for us this evening as we paid a visit to Live Theatre for the first time, thanks to Cathy for fixing up this super new group run for us! We had not one, not two but FIVE new GoodGym runners and walkers along to join us on this fine evening as we celebrated superstar Run Leader Katy's 50th Good Deed. Katy brought along a stack of amazing homemade cakes and most of her family to celebrate.

We had a huge turn out tonight, a walking group happily led by Ross and a running group already dreading the hill back up from the Quayside we'd need to tackle on the way back- and this was before they realised they'd actually need to tackle it multiple times in the fitness session!

We celebrated two brilliant missions last week and in her absence gave Charlotte a big clap for completing the Paris Marathon yesterday. I have been assured she stepped straight off the train and into the social met by a drink, a cake and a bunch of her #GGNCL family. Excellent timing! A quick warm up and a dash to the Quayside where Live Theatre was waiting for us.

The Live Theatre plays host to a number of events including regular school visits to the creative writing garden situated at the back of Broad Chare. We were asked tonight to do a number of tasks to give the garden some TLC including:

• Painting the decking

• Weeding

• Picking up litter

• Tidying up

It was one of those brilliant tasks where a stack of brand new equipment was waiting for us and we were able to immediately get stuck in. Dan and Dave swept the decking before the painting crew jumped in while everyone else set about picking and weeding the garden and courtyard under the shadow of the Tyne Bridge (check out the photo of Nick with the bridge in the background!) Rachel even managed to find a friend- an enormous worm - another brilliant photo opp for you to look for! The difference we made was immediately visible and we left a much tidier garden behind us in just 35 minutes. There was an extra good deed done by Andrew too as he fastened Evan's coat up for him, although why I don't really know. Who said Bromance was dead?!

As it ended up being a faster job than we'd anticipated, it gave us time to play a quick game of 'Anji Says', as well as pose for two DREAM GoodGym Newcastle group photos by both the Tyne Bridge and Millenium Bridge for the first time in our history. The walking group broke away and we took the opportunity to practice some timed hill repeats on the cobbled bank heading up from the Quayside which everyone absolutely smashed, burning off the last of any Monday Blues.

I know we will be back at Live Theatre - we have to get that other decking area done for a start!- and it would be so great to have another massive turn out so I will share details as soon as I have them.

No community missions this weekend, so make sure you join us if you can for our next Group Run on Easter Monday as we trot across to Byker for a huge leaflet drop for our friends at Scope. Thanks to Debbie for collecting the leaflets, and to Ross for chopping them up for us ready to deliver next week.

Have a great week full of good things, and I will see you next week.

Anji x