GoodGym were delighted to be invited to take part in Maidenhead United's Macmillan Coffee Morning, held at the Maidenhead Athletic Club clubhouse. The event included our litter pick, cake, a big walking football tournament, cake, running around the track, and did I mention the cake!? Moreover, it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with other community groups, friends old and new, and VIPs like our MP and our mayor.

Well done to GoodGymers Diya, Tessa, Anna, Gillian, Nicola and Mark, who signed up to come along. It was also great to welcome MAC members Pauline and Jay. Also a special mention to Sheila, who couldn't join the litter pick but came along and flew the GoodGym flag during the earlier part of the morning.

We played a game of litter pick Bingo, and it was both sad and impressive that the majority of participants completed their cards. Not surprising though I suppose, since we had January Challenge Bingo stars Diya and Tessa in our midst! Perhaps I need to add some more obscure items to the card for next time. Who new we would find half a Lego person, a shoe and two buckets? While we worked, we also got a good workout lugging our bags of litter around, and had a good chinwag too - it's the stuff that GoodGym dreams are made of.

Thanks to Helen, Raisie and the team from Maidenhead United Community Trust for welcoming us along and well done GoodGym team!

11 Goodgymmers met at Maidenhead Community Centre for a night of graffiti cleaning and litter picking.

With the rain coming down the evening started off with some fitness games.

A list of exercises which a roll of the dice picked and then a spinning top as a timer, saw the group tackle a lot of jumping jacks, squats, herding of mini sheep and for Shelia and Rachel some mountain climbers!

The fun then moved outside into the park and there was a couple of rounds of under and over with safety glasses, slaloms and skipping! There were points for speed and artistic movement!

Once the fitness was completed and safety briefing on the use of the graffiti chemicals and wipes the team split into two groups.

Scarlet, Amy, Tony, Rachel, Jen and Ben set forth to the High Road underpass whilst Matthew, Jess, Gillian, Anne-Laure and Shelia headed off to the underpass by Sainsburys. The teams were armed with litter picks so the walk was not wasted!

Both groups arrived at their locations to tackle the graffiti which had been sprayed and painted on the walls. They used a chemical spray, special wipes, brushes and cloths to clean it off and all were surprised at the ease in which the spray and wipes cut through the paint. Everyone was also surprised at the limited amount of graffiti that was around. This is a great sign that the graffiti wars are being won!!

With walls cleaned the teams left the dry underpasses and ventured out in the rain to litter pick around the town centre. However, this was also relatively sparse compared to previous trips round the town. Another great sign that the town centre is being better looked after by its residents.

Both teams reconvened at the Community Centre to compare the limited hauls and compare levels of sogginess!

The rain doesn’t put off Goodgymmers and there will be many more sessions to come as the Autumn really sets in! Check the the sessions page for all the listings.