It was a very warm welcome to Amna who joined in her first GoodGym session this week 👋

After a warm up run, we spent 30 minutes bagging as much litter as we could - filling two big bags and clearing another load of litter off the streets of Bolton.

It will never not be satisfying to step back and appreciate a cleaned up space, well done Amna and I look forward to welcoming you back for more GoodGym'ing in the coming weeks.

It was a return to St Catherine's Academy this week to continue the transformation of a section of path/woodland which has become a magnet for litter.

A 45 minute plogging blast made a visible difference to another section of the 200 metre long path which will become a regular target for us over the next few months.

Every piece of litter collected, no matter how small, was another not polluting the woodland - an incredibly satisfying and motivating thought.

We'll be back for more here soon - there's plenty more to do!!

Next up, we're heading to support a new organisation - moving some wood chippings for The Wild & Fruity Community Garden tomorrow evening.

Last night’s session saw us head over to Breightmet with a clear mission: tackle a well-known grot spot near St Catherine’s School that’s become a magnet for litter. It didn’t take long to see the scale of the issue, but armed with gloves, bags, and a bit of determination, we got straight to work.

We focused our efforts on the stretch leading down towards Newby Road, an area particularly affected, and over the course of an hour put in a proper shift. By the end of the session, we’d filled six bags with rubbish - everything from general litter to some more stubborn, long-forgotten waste. A solid, visible impact in a relatively short space of time.

We had a really positive response from the local community and we spent time chatting with residents who stopped by, many of whom were grateful to see something being done about the area. There was real curiosity too- people asking about GoodGym, how it works, and how they might get involved, as well as interest in the local volunteer opportunities and Volunteer Vaults in the area. It’s always a good sign when a task not only improves a space but also sparks conversations and connections.

Despite the progress, it’s clear there’s more to do here. This wasn’t a one-and-done job, but very much the start of reclaiming the space. The good news is - we’ll be back. With more time and more hands, we can continue to turn this hotspot into something the community can feel proud of again.

Great effort all round, well done and thank you to Laurence for joining in!

Tonge Moor UCAN Centre was the destination for this week's plogging expedition in support of Love Bolton, Hate Litter.

Transforming the look and feel of an area by collecting discarded items will never not be satisfying. Good for the mental health, good for the community, good for the environment - everyone's a winner!

If you're fed up of seeing litter in your local area, spending even 2 minutes picking it up can make SUCH a huge difference and urge you to do it, even just once.

We'll be back for more plogging adventures somewhere near you in a few weeks time.

The cold, dark winter months are not the most appealing for being outdoors and active, but you just can't beat doing something that makes you feel good, supports the environment and still keeps you fit and healthy. ]

It was a solo mission this week as I headed out alone for a plogging session in Bolton Town Centre.

60 minutes and two big bags full of litter later, I felt so proud to have made a noticeable difference in one little corner of the town. Every single item of litter in that bin bag is one less piece of litter on the streets, and that feels just great!

It would be amazing to have some company next time so we can collect two, three or four times the amount of litter.

A brilliant group of GoodGym volunteers braved the cold for a frosty morning run and litter pick at a local beauty spot. Wrapped up warm, we ran a hilly trail to our destination, crunching over frosty paths along the way.

Once there, we got stuck into a litter pick, helping to restore the area and keep it looking its best. The reward? Stunning views and some surprising winter sunshine to finish the session on a high. Cold hands, warm hearts, and a job well done.