This evening, 7 GoodGymers met at Stepney Bank Stables on a cold but dry Monday evening for a jog up to The Lighthouse Project in Byker where we were back after nearly 2 months! We welcomed Holly, another Newcastle medical student on her first (hopefully of many) GoodGym mission as well as Selim, a PhD student from the University too on his second GoodGym mission, proudly sporting his new GoodGym t-shirt, Ewan and Ruby, another two medical students who have now become regulars already, Scott, Richard, Elena (myself, writing my first ever report stepping up to my new TaskForce role!) and last but not least, Zach, GoodGymer number 8, joined us a bit later after circling round the centre until he found the one unlocked access to it!

This was our first group mission there since the clock changed back to GMT time and we’d underestimated how well lit the youth centre was. Before we knew it, we’d filled up 4 large bags with dry leaves and weeds from the surrounding green area we had trimmed significantly last time - it is rewarding for us to see this place improve so much every time we go! Finally, we all jogged back to the Stables via a questionable ‘shortcut’ that felt if anything longer than the usual route but a perfect excuse to start the week with some miles in the bag!

Please join us for another visit to The Lighthouse Project next week!

Nine GoodGymers made their way to St James' Park on a cold but dry Monday evening for the Newcastle United v Everton match, to raise money for the Newcastle Foodbank.

For almost all of us it was the first time volunteering at the stadium in this way and everyone seemed to enjoy their time raising money. Welcome to Ewan and well done on your first GoodGym good deed. Admirable dedication having recently suffered a dislocated shoulder. Kudos to Elena for coming along to volunteer before a long shift at work, and for her photography skills!

Lots of generous football fans donated lots of money, £10 and £20 notes were not uncommon, which should make a big difference to the foodbank.