7 Goodgymmers answered the call for volunteers to knit or crochet Easter chicks or bunnies, which will each be filled with a creme egg and sold in aid of Alexander Devine Children's Hospice. At the time of writing, 29 have been completed, with maybe some more on their way before next week's deadline. Each will be sold for £3, meaning that we will have contributed at least £87 to this worthwhile charity. Well done to the team of Clare, Claire, Gillian, Jess, Nicola, Rosie and Sheila. Egg-cellent work!

At the end of a busy January of GoodGyming some of us have been feeling a bit spaced out. We're ready for February...and beyond! And we've been making sure the library is ready too, by making space themed decorations.

The decorations will go up soon as part of the countdown to the Maidenhead Big Read Festival, which will blast off over the weekend of 4th and 5th March, with lots of free events to inspire everyone to love reading.

This task was more creative than physical, but GoodGymers were also motivated to get some extra steps in whilst delivering their creations to me, and it has been a treat for me to receive them.

I've returned from a GoodGym session to find rockets and astronauts on my doorstep, I've received an amazing spaceship with beautifully crocheted aliens at a Pilates class, and I've even answered the door to discover the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.

Well done to everyone who dived into the tin foil, paint, cardboard, wool and sequins and made a contribution. You're all stars. We have an amazing mix of fantasy, fact and fun, and it's going to look fabulous!

I'm also delighted to report that this session rockets us into our biggest month of GoodGyming ever. We've really started 2023 with a Big Bang!

Amy, Anna, Clare and Tessa met at Kidwells Park for a chilly but sunny lunchtime litter pick. It was very encouraging to see crocuses starting to pop up - spring is on its way! We were pleased to discover that there was a ‘good’ amount of litter: not too much, but enough to make for a satisfying task! The combination of sunshine, fresh air, exercise, a chat and a good deed picked up our spirits and at the end we all set off (for a swim, a run, a bike ride and a walk respectively!) feeling positive!

Thanks to Tessa for reporting on the Kidwells crew!

Meanwhile Georgeta, Gillian and Jen couldn't make it to Kidwells, but did a great job tackling the litter in their neighbourhoods instead. Jen reported that her kids didn't think she was too cool when she showed up at school pick up with a litter picker and bag of rubbish, but we think she's totally awesome - much like all the other GoodGymers out getting fit and doing good deeds today.

Today was litter-ally the best Friday lunch-break we've had this year. January can be a bit rubbish, but getting together with a bunch of lovely GoodGymers and doing a good deed is a great way to bin those Winter blues. This session was particularly special as one superstar picked up a wonderful surprise...

A big welcome to Clare, who joined us for the first time today, and kudos to Dominic, who was returning for his second good deed and will bag his third tomorrow. It was also great to catch up with Anna S, Michelle, Sheila, Kanika, Tessa A, and Jen F and to wish everyone a happy New Year.

We all met at Grenfell Park and armed with pickers, hoops and bags, we split into small groups and set off to tidy up the park and nearby streets, including the alleyway to the station, which sadly always promises rich pickings. As well as the usual bottles, cans, cigarette butts and snack wrappers, Michelle and Clare also found some car keys and a bike and Kanika found £4.60! Well done to Clare for dropping off the keys at the police station on her bike ride home.

While we were busy picking and chatting around Grenfell, Diya, Gillian and Georgeta were with us in spirit as they tidied up their own neighbourhoods. Georgeta found a ton of rubbish on Shoppenhangers (aka Drop 'em hangers!?), Diya filled a huge sack in North Maidenhead, and Gillian made her mark (or the opposite...left no trace!) in St Marks.

At the end of the Grenfell Park session, we were all comparing notes on what we had picked up, when Sheila picked up the phone to GoodGym Central and learned that she had been awarded this year's Sean Coxhead Inspiring Individual Award. This award recognises individuals in the GoodGym community who have demonstrated remarkable dedication, kindness or effort. You can read more about Sean Coxhead, to whose memory the award is dedicated, by clicking here.

Sheila was nominated by both Kanika and Georgeta, and we heard from Ed Field that the judges unanimously chose her as the winner. Here are a few of the things the judges said:

*"Her nomination is so thoughtful and inspiring. Her dedication amidst the loss of her mum is admirable. In addition to her GG commitment, I love that she seems to love her life in service of others, a real patron of her community." *

"I was completed moved by her nomination and I loved the fact that she has even made her area their own GG Flag! It seems on a weekly basis that she is consistently going over and above what a normal participation in GoodGym looks like and that she is a vital part of the Windsor and Maidenhead group"

"The nomination(s) that she has received make her sound like an amazing person who definitely embodies what Goodgym is about. I particularly liked the fact that she has been doing a range of all kinds of Goodgym activities and it sounds like her hard work can be seen all across Windsor and Maidenhead."

If you know Sheila then you'll know that the judges nailed it! Sheila you 100% deserve this and we couldn't be prouder. Congratulations!

We celebrated in the park by photobombing her phonecall and giving her a litter picker guard of honour, but further celebrations will come.

Well done everyone and hope to see you at another session soon! Click here to check out all the upcoming listings.