It was a lovely sunny evening to be in one of our favourite Monday evening places - Stepney Bank Stables. We started the evening with some fantastic news - Sport England has pledged £10,000 to the current Crowdfunder! This takes them past their initial target and opens up the stretch target. There are a few days left donate - if you'd like to help this wonderful charity keep doing their amazing work with local children with differing needs, here's the link Stepney Bank Stables Crowdfunder

So to work! Sara left me with a list of jobs to choose from. Not being averse to hard work we decided to walk up to the top stables to continue the cobble clearing that a few of us started a few weeks ago. When I say started, I should really say re-started, as it's one of those painting-the-forth-bridge type jobs that we and other volunteers have done before. For Max, who we were delighted to see back for his second task, this was a new experience, but despite having tweaked his back earlier today, he got stuck in with the rest of us. We had a slightly slow start as we couldn't find the hook-y scrape-y things (horse hoof cleaners) that we use to remove the muck between the cobbles, and our improvisation efforts were unsuccessful. Fortunately, Sara came to the rescue! We made up for lost time and I'm pretty sure you'll be able to see the difference in the before and after photos. In any case, with the horses supervising and Scout inspecting our work, there was no chance of us baling on the job!

On the subject of baling, Sara had one last task for us - moving a big hay bale from the yard into the barn. I decided at this point to heed the warning, too many cooks spoil the broth, and to stand back and take photos! The team made short work of the task and we were done! Thanks to Elliot, Aimee and Chris as well as Max for another productive GoodGym Stepney Bank Stables evening!

Check out the website for three, yes three tasks to get stuck into over the coming bank holiday weekend!

Today we saw the return of not one, not two, but three goodgym alumni. Welcome back Martin, Chris & Martha.

In the surroundings of a damp, but very green and lush Jesmond Dene, we had a straight forward task of edging in some garden beds; all to the back drop of some lovely brass band music coming from the Jesmond food market and festival.

Even though the job at hand was straight forward, it was still a great work out, especially with some tough and rooty roots! We finished the day, by wrestling with parts of a blown day tree, before saying our goodbyes.

We had a brilliant visit back to Recyke Y Bike last night where we have been doing jobs and helping to prepare a new office space for the past few months.

The team at this great charity are always so happy to see us and they always give us great things to do.

Louise B and Charlotte swept and cleared the outdoor alleyway

Louise L, Holly and Aimee filled holes in the wall and glossed windowsills

Darren and Chris dismantled furniture and carried it down to the workshop

Miranda moved bikes, swept and made inner tube bats for Halloween decorations (this amongst our favourite random tasks ever!)

The time really flew by last night with great displays of team work and individual effort, and again it was brilliant to look back and see the difference we had made.

Big shout out to Aimee on a double community mission day yesterday- kudos!

Tonight we were back helping out at the Ouseburn Trust which we really enjoy. Our tasks tonight included picking up lots of litter and clearing vegetation to make a footpath more accessible.

A huge well done to Ellie for completing her first ever good deed. Please go and give her a cheer!

The title of tonights run report is very random so I will explain. We split in to two groups and I was on litter picking with Chris.

We found so many squashed cans (mainly red bull, beer and cider) which were tricky to pick up with the litter pickers.

According to Chris, I had gone from beginner to mediocre to Pro. I developed a technique where I flipped up the can with my feet and then grabbed it with the litter picker. I really like kicking a Football around so maybe that helps? (I said it was random!)

Anyway, we really enjoyed tonight and the Ouseburn Trust were very grateful for our help once again with both tasks so hopefully we can return very soon!