A huge thank you to everyone who took part in our January Anytime Litter Picking Community Mission what a phenomenal turnout!

Across the month we saw loads of GoodGymers getting stuck in, whether walking, running, solo or paired up. From riversides and parks to pavements and problem fly-tipping spots, the impact was real and visible. Bags were filled, heavy items shifted, incidents logged with councils, and even the odd football rescued along the way

Special thanks to everyone who shared photos, stories and stats and to those who quietly got on with good deeds behind the scenes. Every single action counts, and it all feeds into our January Challenge national target, which makes this even sweeter

And yes… I can confirm that litter picking works extremely well with dog walking Gus is a big fan of missions with purpose

Why litter picking is surprisingly great fun: 1. Instant impact – you can see the difference you’ve made straight away. One path, park or riverbank transformed. 2. Low pressure, high reward do it anytime, anywhere, for 10 minutes or an hour. It all counts. 3. Good for the body and the soul fresh air, movement, and that quiet glow of doing something genuinely useful.

Thanks again to everyone who took part you’re absolute stars Let’s keep this momentum rolling into the next mission.

GoodGymers arrived from all parts of Bethnal Green and Mile End. And not just from there. Nia came all the way from India, partly to do the task, but also because she was greatly missing our lovely January weather. Mile-End-Emma arrived from Australia, quite recently, and new-boy Gabe (welcome Gabe) claims to live outside Tower Hamlets altogether, over there in The City. Even though nobody lives in The City. And we all arrived bang on time - except for the usual tardy suspects, of course...

Nia, Lobo, Gabe and Bethnal-Green-Emma, were using their artistic talent to paint chairs (Bethnal) green, as well as varnishing a table and chair. Lucinda and Mile-End-Emma were filling gaps in a brick wall, doing a great job (according to Mile-End-Emma). Several miles away, at the other end of the estate, Ilana, Ciarán and Bethnal-Green-Emma were restoring a graffiti-covered wall. Closer to home, Rohan and I practised for our future potential careers as dentists pulling teeth, as we yanked nails from planks of wood, using the back ends of hammers

All this vigorous work was our best bulwark against the cold. But January isn’t over yet - there’s still a special Tuesday task at Ocean Youth tonight, then Saturday lunchtime at Rocky Park, and the usual Felix Project tasks the same day. Be there or be somewhere else!