Katie Carew-Robinson

Rain, wind, sun and a rainbow and that was just the first 5 minutes.

We managed a full lap of the whole park area and Harry & Rich also went into the play area to tidy up in there (and see if they could spot any kids from school!).

No big finds this week apart from a Dodgeball DVD (if you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a ball!) as well as hundreds of lollipop sticks and (of course) cigarette butts. Big news of the evening was that Jen did go home 25p richer, that's Alice sorted for pocket money! Jo found a piece of Christmas tree and I found some chocolate money wrappers so we were in season with the weather at least.

Once we'd done almost our whole lap and said hello to the animals, Rosie spotted loads of rubbish in the bushes and jumped in to retrieve it.

We left the park just as the next lot of rain was about to fall so there was an added element of trying to get indoors without getting totally soaked... Not sure how many of the 6 managed it....

This community mission was all about Spring cleaning with a conscience. It prompted us to look a bit further than our wheelie bin to find charities and organisations who would help us do some good with our 'unwanted junk'. It feels great to de-clutter, and it feels even better to know that we are not simply clogging up landfill, but also helping others.

It was brilliant to see participation from a few different GoodGym areas. Some examples of how people got involved included:

Vicki from Portsmouth did a mega Spring clean including her whole house and attic! She found new homes or uses for toys, clothing, batteries, plastic bags, games, fitness equipment, coffee grounds, jam jars and much much more, and walked to deliver or donate where possible. Next she is tackling a friend's garage... and then I'm going to kidnap her and ask her to do my house!

Katie, also from Portsmouth, ran to donate children's winter coats to the community coat rails, adult coats to the community wardrobe and other clothes to the salvation army.

In Windsor and Maidenhead Sula, Tara and Ruth gave their unwanted running kit to Amy, who is making a bulk donation to Rerun Clothing. Amanda dropped 5 massive bags at Thames Hospice charity shop and was pleasantly surprised to see the kids' toys out for sale 48hrs later making the Hospice money. Jess also dropped off items at charity shops.

Well done to everyone who took part.

Please enjoy all the amazing photos from this team effort at the Captain Tom 100! We went over 100 miles together because we have such a group of legends so I've just counted 5 miles per person and that gets us nicely to 100!

There were visits to various military viewpoints including the People's Memorial, Yomper, D-Day statue and more than one person spotted Captain Tom's picture at the ice cream place! Vicki and John walked around lots of relevant spots including the vaccination centre at St James' and couldn't resist an ice cream at the seafront. Katie's twins got an ice cream too but there is no evidence of her enjoying one! Jo and Sinéad promise that they enjoyed their contributions more than their selfies suggest. Ellie ran a lovely route by the Hamble that will hopefully now be associated with good memories from this run. Wilson went round and round trying to walk all the streets in North End before doing 2 good deeds whilst wearing rain drenched shorts in the afternoon. Sam and I took our Friday morning route to incorporate a photo op with flags. Louisa missed the rain and therefore saved her new haircut from a flattening. Val and her "angels" Mel, Judy and Kat went for a lovely walk together and ended up in a pub! Maura had a chiropracter appointment mid walk (true multitasking). Rachel managed to take a photo that sat so well in Strava it look like she'd been branded. Tracey spotted a stone tribute to Capt Tom on the seafront. https://www.goodgym.org/runners/rosina-arnold & Aaron walked to Gunwharf and Aaron walked home in a new pair of trainers. Jen ran over that way too but her trainers stayed in one piece so no need to stop for a shop! Michelle did a loop round LOTS and Stubbington and got a Strava badge.

Well done everyone! Team work makes the dream work :)

Any donations to the Captain Tom Foundation can be made here (and here is the information about where the money goes)

From Naomi House it was a short walk (road crossing assisted by a lollipop man!) to the North End Pantry to get the second (lighter grey aka Goose Down) coat of paint on the spindles and undercoat 2 doors.

Wilson was after intellectual conversation during our 2nd good deed of the afternoon but I'm not sure Louisa & I provided... talking about favourite crisp flavours, camper vans and Paddington... Then Louisa put on some 80s tunes so we had a little sing along whilst finishing off the paint work.

We were kept going with hot drinks and Wilson and I also got to go home with a bag of kale each from the Pantry, good payment!!