This Saturday, a team of five volunteers from GoodGym came together at Princes Park to support Princes Parkrun, which was at risk of being cancelled. We quickly got into position, each taking on different roles to help the event run smoothly. I was at the front line, encouraging participants to keep moving forward, guiding them to stay in line, and motivating them with positive energy as they completed their run. Other team members supported by scanning barcodes, marshalling along the route, and helping runners who had issues with their QR codes by assisting them in accessing their Parkrun ID numbers. It was a fantastic experience being part of such a supportive and energetic environment. Despite being tired, runners shared smiles, waves, and thumbs-ups, which made the atmosphere even more rewarding. We all left feeling proud that we had helped make the event possible. Volunteering like this not only supports physical activity but also has a positive impact on mental wellbeing by creating a strong sense of community and encouragement.

Picture it: 11.30am, a normal working Wednesday. I'd done my morning workout, got ready for the day, and settled down into work as usual on the laptop at home. Then there was a call out on the Goodgym Liverpool WhatsApp group.

"I need a favour for the Choir With No Name!"

And like Queen Susan's Horn, or the Horn of Boromir, (depending on whether your like your fantasy by C.S. Lewis or Tolkein) it summoned Goodgymmers across the city.

The task? To collect 50 Easter Eggs from MPAC (Merseyside Play Action Council), and safely deliver them to the Quakers Meeting House, ahead of the Choir With No Name's weekly rehearsal this evening. The eggs were lovingly donated by friends of the choir The Liverpool Homeless Football Club.

The challenge? Volume to be moved. Car access to pull up & unload can be tricky in the city centre at the best of times, and whilst it wasn't the weight we were concerned about (as we're all Goodgymmers and therefore dead strong, obviously) it was the logistics of carrying so many. Oh, also - we had less than 2.5 hours to complete the mission, due to venue closing times.

Challenge accepted.

Within 29 minutes of the call for help being put out, FIVE goodgymmers had responded and formed a plan.

We jumped into action and dug out all the oversized bags we could lay our hands on. Cupboard under the stairs filled with bags of bags - time to shine 🌟 It was the moment I'd been hoarding for.

We met right on time outside MPAC and headed inside to collect our precious cargo. We had a wheeled trolley, and wide variety of bags ranging from Primark to Superman. Many hands make light work and we'd quickly packed them all up. Clara showed her strength by immediately deciding the trolley was too noisy to wheel and casually carrying it instead. It was a short walk through the busy city centre and we arrived at Quakers Meeting House, where our Area Activator Ema had arranged for reception to safely store the eggs until the Choir's arrival this evening. After swiftly unloading, and claiming a little egg each which Ema had very kindly arranged to thank us for our time, we were back on our merry way.

The reasons we were able to eggs-ecute this impromptu plan varied: some gave up their lunch breaks, some had a fortuitous window of availability, and some were using the opportunity to procrastinate on tasks they ought to be getting on with (marking and DIY!). But one thing is clear - when a Goodgymmer asks for help, Goodgym Liverpool responds. You'll Never Walk Alone, indeed.

Well done everyone - cracking job. Eggcellent work. You're all good eggs.