“It’s only November!” I hear you cry. And November it is but our first festive task of the season was upon us tonight at our Stepney Bank Stables community mission and what a task it was.

A very wet and dark evening didn’t put off new GoodGymer Anna- give her a big welcome! Anna first looked at GoodGym a few years back and finally came to us tonight, immediately getting stuck in with creative flair, hard work and a bit of patience- all needed tonight. Anna and I were joined by GoodGym regulars Aimee, Elliot and Louise for some festive cheer and most excitingly, the first task where we’ve ever used the Stepney Bank Stables lift.

Our task was to build and decorate the enormous Stepney Bank Stables Christmas tree which sounds much easier than it was. Even getting the tree out of the cupboard was a mission in itself!! The branches needed to be sorted into lettered groups before the tree could be built, lights could be detangled and decorations hung. Epic teamwork made this task a breeze, and the finished result was appreciated by the stables staff.

It’s early days, but I think this guarantees us a spot on the Good List.

Bonus Christmas cheers to Louise for the brilliant pun.

It was damp and dreary for our community mission/ social walk combo tonight and my first GoodGym session since September 25th! Charlotte, Lucy, Liz, Beth and I met wrapped up at the Cycle Hub for the first part of the evening- collecting toys for the Building Futures East foodbank Christmas toy appeal. This will brighten children’s christmases across the east end of Newcastle, something we are immensely proud to have a small hand in.

My car boot overflowing with goodies we set off on a quayside loop up to the swing bridge and back via the millennium bridge. The quayside looked so pretty tonight when the drizzle stopped but we had so much to catch up on I hardly took any photos- sorry! Back to the cycle hub in just over half an hour, legs stretched and lots of fresh air and chat and our Monday definitely felt enhanced.

If you’d like to donate toys and missed tonight, please drop me a message and I’ll arrange a drop off point. Alternatively get involved in hamper packing at Building Futures East next week on either Tuesday afternoon or Friday morning. They are both drop in sessions where you can stay as long as you like.

Tonight’s community mission is dedicated to the memory of my amazing mother, Meg Rippon. She loved what we do at GoodGym and avidly read every report. This one was for you.

Everyone had at least one layer more than they needed on a warm junior parkrun morning at North Marine Juniors in South Shields.

The sun was shining as lots of little runners and walkers ran, hopped and skipped the seaside course.

Paul and I were helping out today as marshals. It was a lovely start to the day to cheer, clap and support everyone round.