This weekend, Cambridge GoodGymers put on their red t-shirts and grabbed the binoculars to take part in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch. Nearly 6 millions birds have been counted so far!

The weather might have been a bit grey, but the birds came out and we managed to record some valuable data to help understand species numbers in the area. There were sparrows, magpies and pigeons a plenty. Herons are a fairly common sight along the river Cam and one very kindly touched down for Caroline and Michele - a case of right place, right time!

Daiana had the support of a purr-fessional 🐈 and Caroline had an im-peck-able birdwatching snack 🍦

We had no r-egrets taking part and enjoyed a peaceful, wholesome morning.

For this week's group task we were were doing good and getting fit through a group run and donating pre-loved items to charity.

Three GoodGymers met for a Cambridge city run. We joined Girls that Jog, a local running club, on their 5km route. It was very social, chatting all the way, but at some point I got separated from Harriet and Caroline. My group headed back to the start and on receiving a message from Caroline to say they'd taken a detour to the gelato shop, I immediately sprinted across town to find them. There is nothing more motivating than a Jack's Gelato.

It turned out to be a mis-communication and they hadn't stopped for gelato, just to take a selfie outside the shop (Caroline's favourite)! Cue another, slightly less springy, sprint back across town to meet them. Reunited and all in good spirits at the ridiculousness of the situation we parted ways for the evening, each running back home. Although slightly disappointed not to have had gelato, it turned a 5km run into a 10km run, so bonus for the January Challenge at least!

To do good, several GoodGymers have been having a thorough sort through their belongings and donating pre-loved items to charities of their choice across the city. Helping with a January refresh and providing items to raise funds for those doing important work in our community🙌

We were back at Fulbourn Hospital parkrun this weekend for the second time this month! Caroline & Harriet arrived bright and early to help with set-up, and were rewarded with a beautiful sunrise for their early morning alarms 🌄

They got to work filling in all the rabbit holes with upturned cones, marking the route and putting out signs to guide the runners and walkers. Having only been there once before as a marshal, this all helped jog Caroline's memory of the course in anticipation of the run ahead 🏃‍♀️

The pair ran together with a priority of making it a social activity, chatting non-stop throughout and cheering on familiar faces along the way. It was a wonderful way to celebrate Caroline's 25th parkrun (the milestone t-shirt has been ordered!) and for Harriet to warm up ready for her 100th parkrun next time around 💪

After helping with close-down too, they joined others in the cafe for a bit of coffee and cake to warm up. What a wonderful way to spend a morning! 🥰

This weekend, a group of goodgymers helped out with parkruns all around Cambridge!

At our first Brook Leys parkrun of 2026, Catherine and Caroline had an early start to set-up the course. Beginning with signage around the lake, the duo then set up the start area and got creative with some cones to set up a 2-way system at a tight corner. They even bumped into some of the Girls That Jog at the start line 💪

All this served as a good warm-up to then run the course together, with Ross and Nick joining for even more goodgym representation 🪧🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Over at Fulbourn Hospital parkrun, Harriet had a full roster of volunteers to coordinate, and the session was a complete success! 🏆

As is becoming somewhat of a tradition, the group enjoyed pastry treats and some hot drinks to warm up afterwards 🥐☕️

For this morning's task we were running on kindness (and coffee!). Joining forces with some lovely folk from Running Events Cambridgeshire, we delivered over 500 leaflet packs in support of Cambridge City Foodbank's winter appeal.

Meeting in Eddington (post parkrun for Caroline, Ross and Catherine) we welcomed Greg and Susan to their first GoodGym session 🎉

After a warm up and briefing we split into two groups and headed off! Caroline, Julieth and Daiana covered the miles in Eddington, while the rest of the group headed over to Girton, taking turns to run with the leaflet-laden backpack (kudos to Greg for the lion's share of weighted training 💪).

It was a real team effort, and with good conversation and some laughs, the time flew (as did Susan, speeding up and down the streets of Girton 🙌). We were soon all back at Dulcedo Social for much-needed coffee and pastries, which were as motivating as the cause itself.

We got our heart rates up and the kms in while doing something positive for the community, and left with spirits high.

Fitness, fun and community - the foundations of a great GoodGym session. ♥️

A bit of soggy plogging for this evening's task.

Five Googymers braved the rain to help keep the streets of Cambridge clean and tidy. We jogged along Mill Road and split into two teams to litter pick our way back to the meet point. We found the usual coffee cups, plastic bottles, and a shocking number of cigarette butts. Nick had been at it before we met and collected a bag full of batteries! As a bonus we saw a Dinky Door (tiny street art), which is always fun.

The weather might have been miserable, but catching up and improving the local area always feels good.

We're half way through the January Challenge and we end the week with a few more kms and some all important good deeds.

Well done team 🙌