Despite last night’s lightning, hail and lashing rain, GoodGymers across town were out this morning to drink in some nice fresh air and gather-up some of the vessels that held other people’s drink that they’d forgotten to put in the bin.

Bea in Newham

“I've been passing this rubbish field in the past few days (weeks) very near to my home and I was just shaking my head and thinking why. So today at 6.30am I went out to clean up a bit. Looks already a bit better.” - Bea

Eloise and Matt in Ravenscourt Park

“Eloise and Matt took a quick jog to Ravenscourt Park following their morning run. There they quickly filled up a bin bag with cigarette butts and packets, crisp packets and big bottles of coke and lucasade under a tree. Someone clearly had a bit of a sugar rush!” – Matt

Jenni and Michelle in Gunnersbury Park

“We got two bags of litter and a few people stopped to thank us as we went round. Random items included a kids shoe, pizza boxes and the usual cans and plastic water bottles. The locals also seem to have a thing for starburst sweets.” - Jenni

“Michelle and I plogged around Gunnersbury Park this Morning, covering about 2 miles. We collected a bag of rubbish each, including a rather nasty butter tub which had become an insect hotspot! We got lots of park users thanking us for tidying up... just a morning's plogging for GoodGymers though!” – Michelle

Abi, Beth, Danny, John, Kat, Paul, Valentina and Vicki on Hampstead Heath

“It was great being out nice and early on this cool Sunday morning after the rainy few days we had of recent. Golders Hill Park and the Heath were quiet and peaceful, thus, making it the perfect host for a walk accompanied by some plogging. In fairness, I didn't expect to find a lot of rubbish as the weather over the weekend must have discouraged people from spending time in open spaces. However, all in all, I managed to collect 1 black bin bag of rubbish, mostly hidden alongside the paths and near the benches. On our way to the meeting point near Parliament Hill, Danny and I had a lucky encounter - we came across Paul from GG Barnet, as well as his friendly dog Gus. While it was nice to be walking and talking to Paul, Danny and I decided to slow down so we can plog on the way. Soon after, we could see 6 other GoodGymmers spreading out to litterpick from a distance. Luckily, we bumped into Vicki and Valentina and, later on, the rest of the group. It was so nice to see so many friendly faces! Sally from GG Camden also joined us after having a morning run, which was a pleasant surprise. :) After a nice catch up and socially distanced 'photoshoot', we said goodbye in the hope to see each other soon. P. S. I was impressed with the amount of rubbish we managed to collect as a team - overall, there must have been at least 5 black bin bags. :) Also, Paul, thanks for bringing the litterpickers!” - Kat

Thanks to Bea, Jenni, Kat, Matt, Paul, Sally and Vicki for pictures, and Matt for the pun title.