On a mild Monday evening, two GoodGymers set out from Stepney Bank Stables towards Byker and Heaton on a litter pick. Byker is somehow always covered with litter no matter how many times we pick it up.

This time the focus of our efforts was the car park at bottom of Shields Road, which is near a supermarket and a number of food outlets. People had filled the bushes and trees with plastic cups, cans, paper receipts, cigarette ends, food packaging and all kinds of weird and wonderful things. We also retrieved what looked like an antiquated mobile phone, a large porcelain bowl, a large jerry can and several empty bottles of wine.

Some people in Byker clearly need some lessons in how to dispose of their rubbish, but we were approached by several others offering praise, which always makes your efforts feel a little more worthwhile!

Thankfully the weather warmed up after a very cold weekend. Races and parkruns suffered mass cancellations on Saturday and Sunday, but all of the ice had magically disappeared by the time we set off on our latest litter pick from Stepney Bank Stables.

Sadly no matter how times we clear litter from Byker, it is scattered everywhere again within a few weeks. Three GoodGymers managed to fill three bags each tonight, which made the place look much tidier, at least for a short time!

On a mild Monday evening, three GoodGymers removed a large amount of litter from the streets of Byker. Everyone else seemed to be out for a run as numerous running groups whizzed past.

Tonight's task wasn't without its challenges. Two of our faithful litter pickers reached the end of their lives, breaking after many dozens of litter picks carried out. Squeezing the litter into the council's black bins was a bit more difficult than usual. We got covered in some sticky liquids trying to deposit the litter, but all of the litter ended up in the bins.

It was a busy evening for GoodGym Newcastle at Newcastle University Students’ Union.

After running from Stepney Bank Stables and being quite relieved not to get wet, Jen met us outside and took us upstairs to get started. The group split into two, with some of us packing boxes for Stu Brew, which is Europe’s first student-run microbrewery based at Newcastle University. They are a sustainable microbrewery, managed by students through Newcastle University Students’ Union.

Lucy and Muhannad had got started with the crafting task straight away, the rest of us joining after the box packing. Jen patiently explained what we were supposed to be doing, with some of us being very much out of our comfort zones.

Everyone from GoodGym said they enjoyed the evening. I'm sure that the cakes, doughnuts and hot drinks helped, but it was a genuinely delightful evening. Thank you to everyone who came along tonight for an extended session, excellent commitment from everyone!

For the second time in two weeks, a GoodGym Newcastle group run involved coming across an accident. This time Scott witnessed a young man falling off his bike. Luckily lots of people came to the rescue. By the time we had set off on our litter pick, someone had brought their car along to take the faller home. We hope his arm wasn't too badly damaged!

We litter picked in some new territory around Shieldfield. We often deliver leaflets here but I don't recall litter picking in the area. It was much needed, particularly around the shops. As usual, drinks containers, whether cans, bottles or plastic cups, made up a large proportion of the litter.

Thankfully we avoided the worst of the weather and managed to fill several bags of rubbish in quick time.

Come and join us next Monday as we head to Newcastle University Students' Union for the first time in a little while.