I almost called the session off tonight after listening to the battering the great outdoors was giving my house throughout the night and today. Storm Isha couldn’t fully stop us in our tracks and instead we changed the planned route to something that was not next to an actual river.

Five very wrapped up GoodGymers met ready for battle on day 22 of the GoodGym Newcastle litter pick relay which instead would be contained to Ouseburn. We celebrated a few doubles on a big weekend in which we logged 15 good deeds over six sessions- kudos! It takes a top effort to keep January feeling this positive. It was great to see Angela and Tom back tonight, their first sessions in a while and a very warm welcome back.

We headed up Stepney Bank, through the top of the Ouseburn, down to the Tyne Bar and back again and managed to fill three bags of rubbish along the way. Despite coming across lots of unsavoury stuff including a rat (!), lots of bottles and a single sock, we still managed to work up an appetite due to Tom’s food chatter ranging from Too good to Go bags to Michelin Star restaurants.

No community missions planned for this weekend yet (check back, there’s still time!) but Richard is hosting our first Coffee Run of the year. Join him for the run, the coffee or both. All the info for that is here.

We hope to see you along next week for a group run, walk and cycle to our old friends Recyke Y Bike.

Let’s have a big clap for new GoodGymer Rachel on her very first good deed!

It was a showery start to what turned out to be an excellent (and sunny!) evening with our friends at Ouseburn Trust, kicking off with a big well done to Louise on three good deeds in three days (unofficially four as she also volunteered at Saltwell Junior parkrun!) - love your commitment Louise!

The sun came out as we met task owner Dave who was prepped and ready for two tasks with us tonight. The first part of the session was clearing up after an illegal rave (we even practiced some dance moves that we imagined had taken place) before climbing the long stairs to the top of Ouseburn for part two.

Split into two smaller groups, group one of Charlotte, Angela and Louise carried on litter picking while group two: me, Neil and Rachel were on cutting and hacking duty. Hacking back cow parsley was not only extremely satisfying but also made an impact to the safety of the path. Clearing the path space to make it wider in this way helps users to feel more safe and really makes a difference.

Both groups got a full body work out as well as climbing the many steps of Ouseburn and we headed back feeling really satisfied. It was a great way to start the week.

The fourth and final Guide Dogs NE leaflet task was on the cards tonight and what a lovely night it was!

Paul took care of the first pup related task of the evening- cuddling Stepney Bank Stables resident doggo Scout, while we waited for the others to arrive. A quick catch up about the weekend's community missions with Greening Wingrove and Urban Green Newcastle, a few mobility exercises and we were off. Paul led the runners while Angela and I met at the meeting point Monkchester Community Centre.

This was the last leaflet drop for our four legged friends and their humans at Guide Dogs NE, as we shared opportunities to foster a guide dog with families in the area. Despite my highly dubious maths in "sharing" the leaflets out, we were all done in record time, 100 leaflets dropped in just 20 minutes!

Woof woof!

An easier downhill run made it a pleasant journey back and we enjoyed a stretch, loving the fact that it was still light. A really reBARKable start to the week.

There are two chances to do good things this weekend: a big gardening session with Ouseburn Trust on Saturday and volunteering at Saltwell junior parkrun on Sunday. We hope you can make it along for a cracking Easter weekend happening.