Pick 'n' Mix

Inspired by the January Challenge, lots of GoodGymers were looking for opportunities to go the extra mile and pick up a good deed before the month finished. Sadly, we know there is also no shortage of litter out there begging to be cleared up.

So with only a few days of January left, we decided to squeeze in one more community mission - a litter pick for GoodGymers to do in their own time and in a place of their choosing.

We listed a similar session last year during Lockdown, and at the time the rules meant we couldn't meet up in groups, so we called that session 'Pick 'n' Don't Mix'. By contrast, this year we encouraged people to team up and work together and it felt really sweet to be able to use the far better title 'Pick 'n' Mix'. After all, GoodGym for us is not just about getting fit and doing good, it's also about connecting with others and being sociable.

Over the last few days it has been great to see the WhatsApp buzzing with suggestions of places and times to team up, pictures of full sacks of litter, and above all amazing team spirit.

Gemma got the party started by joining other Cox Green residents litter picking on Sunday morning. Diya and Kanika then picked up the baton, reporting back on Sunday afternoon. Sheila, Anita, Juli and Fiona did a windy but fruitful marathon session along the Braywick Road on Monday morning, and Georgeta collected two huge bags on Shoppenhangers Road during her Monday lunch break. On Monday afternoon Amanda and I found we have uncannily similar 'litter picking selfie faces', while Jess and Rich showed great stamina heading out in the dark and cold on Monday evening. It was also great to see we inspired Becky from Sheffield to get out litter picking - well done Becky!

Great work team! Think we might have earned some real Pick 'n' Mix now?