On a lovely, crisp autumn Monday evening our team donned headtorches and hi viz and gathered for another session in Princes Park. Sallyann, Heetu and Ellie were raring to get stuck in and make a visible difference to one of our favourite local green spaces.

Joining forces with the Friends of Princes Park, our small but mighty team of Sallyann, Heetu, Ellie, and (eventually after being fashionably late) Liam set to work along a key lakeside path. Overgrown branches and heavy layers of accumulated leaves had encroached on the walkway, making passage tricky for park visitors.

Though our numbers were lower than usual, we made light work of the task, cutting back the branches and cleared the path edge to edge, tucking a surprisingly large mound of swept leaves (see pics) neatly out of the way so parkgoers could enjoy a safe, accessible route once again.

To round off the evening, we had a special milestone to mark! At the end of the task, the team presented Liam with gifts to celebrate his 100th GoodGym task. As the moon emerged to light up our final wrap-up, it made for a wonderful finish to a lovely evening.

Extra message from Liam:

When I first signed up to Goodgym, it took me about 6 months to actually sign up for a task and attend. Like a lot of people I'd fallen put of the habit of getting out and seeing people during Covid and wasn't sure what to expect or whether I'd like it.

From my first task (shoutout to Sallyann, Heetu and Laura from GG Liverpool!) I was made to feel really welcome and valued, alleviating the nerves I'd felt and making me want to keep going and helping all of the great causes that we support across the city. Soon, Mondays became something to look forward to, especially after a hard or stressful day.

I would say to anyone thinking of joining Goodgym is that you always feel better after attending a task, spending time with warm and friendly people and making a positive difference to your community.

Sticker Saturday happens once a month, and yet it comes around so quickly. Today it was the first of two Goodgym events as we had a community task starting at midday. As always there is no obligation to attend both events but we will always time it so that option is available.

Today was a crisp, lovely autumnal morning, perfect for our regular Sticker Saturday outing to Princes parkrun and parkwalk. Amina, Aatefa, Clara, Leo and Sallyann joined together for our familiar route.

Princes parkrun is a busy course, but one we all know well. As we made our way around, we were greeted with plenty of shouts of “Good to see you!” and “GoodGym!” It’s lovely to feel part of the parkrun community, particularly in a park where we do so much volunteering. We’ll be back there on Monday, helping the Friends of Princes Park, who work so hard to maintain this wonderful green space.

Parkrun is about taking part, not just chasing times, but there were some achievements worth celebrating today.

A huge shout-out to Aatefa! She has recently become one of our fabulous new run leaders and started doing parkrun in January this year. In just ten months, her times have improved by just over 22% — phenomenal progress! Aatefa and Amina are regulars at Princes Parkrun, attending most weeks, and it’s inspiring to see their continued commitment.

Congratulations to Amina on getting a PB today. Amina usually has to dash off after Sticker Saturday, missing out on brunch and the social side of things. Today, though, she deserves extra kudos: she headed home to continue with her tasks and then returned for a later community mission. Brilliant commitment, Amina.

Suren deserves a special mention, too. He ran to parkrun, completed the course, ran home and then headed off to play football. Now that’s making the most of a Saturday morning!

Clara walks at a phenomenal pace and has been parkwalking all over the country, so it was lovely that today she could enjoy her home parkwalk at Princes Park with us.

Fantastic to have Leo back with us, too. His joyful presence has been missed at Sticker Saturday. As per usual, he had mislaid his loyalty card and needed a replacement. How many cards is that now, Leo? See if you can make it a hat trick next month.

Steph W joined us after running a 10K in the Wirral last week. Steph just quietly keeps moving forward with her running journey nonchantly doing 10ks after her her half a few months ago. Its just wonderful to see and it was great to catch up with her.

After parkrun, Aatefa, Clara, Leo and Sallyann headed down to Squash Community Café, where our very own Sticker Guardian, Steph H was waiting for us.

She had prepared a fantastic display: a squash on the table, surrounded by loyalty cards. What a brilliant advertisement for GoodGym! There was absolutely no doubt which table belonged to us.

We were also joined by Max. A very warm welcome! It was his first session with us, and he managed to squeeze in not one but two sessions today. A double whammy on your very first day — well done!

Breakfast at Squash was, as always, gorgeous, and conversation flowed. There was even some discussion about next year's loyalty card design. Our Sticker Guardian assures us she has some ideas up her sleeve, and I'm delighted that she is happy to remain in post for another year. We clearly couldn't manage without her!

All too soon, it was time to disband. Some of us then headed off to our next session at the Bonded Church. You'll have to read that session's report to find out how we got on and who reached their 20th Goodgym task.

If you fancy trying out Sticker Saturday, we have two more sessions before the end of the year. And it's never too late to win a prize in one of our special categories!

There are still secret categories up for grabs, and nobody knows which ones remain to be won. Intrigued? You'll have to come along and find out!

Why not join us in November? We'd love to see you there. Stickers, parkrun, good company and a gorgeous brunch — what's not to love?

Once again, we were back helping thr lovely people at Friend's of Everton Park, this time in the community gardens.

After some Tromboccino picking (a fitting welcome gift for our two newbies Charlieand Michelle), we were split into two teams. With one team staying to uncover a stream and the other, to clear some saplings and brambles.

The stream team were tasked with removing some foliage and stones so that the leaky lining or the stream can be replaced. It was tough work, but very satisfying and we cant wait to see the stream flowing again.

Meanwhile, the other group made great progress clearing saplings and brambles from around the rather wonderful park sign. Excellent work!

Once everyone had returned to the community gardens, it was time to celebrate as Laura has no completed a whopping 200 goodgym tasks (no mean feat!?). It is incredible to think just how many people you have helped over the years. Huge congratulations!