GoodGym had their first visit to One Strawberry Soup at One Strawberry Lane, including getting involved in a magic card trick.

Some good conversations were had with organisations who were also there.

We ventured slightly further afield than usual tonight, running the 1.8 miles from One Strawberry Lane to Bensham Grove Tiny Forest. Meeting several members of the community there, the main task tonight was to document, through photographs, the plants and animals present.

Unusually for a GoodGym Newcastle group run, we powered across the Redheugh Bridge towards Bensham. On getting there, after a brief lesson on bumblebees, moths and butterflies we set to work documenting the Tiny Forest, spread over only 208 square metres. Apparently some local had been complaining about it, thinking it was overgrown compared to the surrounding lawns with short grass, but it turned out there was quite an array of plants and animals, as is the intention.

All of the photographs were to be uploaded to the Earthwatch website. Adding them here too might have set the record for most photographs attached to a GoodGym Newcastle report.

Before leaving, we were invited back, likely on a Saturday morning, so please look out for that.

Sunday June 22nd had been designated as Olympic day at junior parkrun. Four GoodGymers plus Aly Dixon, an Olympic marathoner from Sunderland, turned up to help at Mowbray Park junior parkrun.

A downpour just before the start didn't dampen spirits as the event had its second highest ever attendance!

Part IV of the GoodGym Newcastle efforts to spread the word about the OuseburnFestival happening on 5&6 July!

Used a cat sitting favour as an excuse to venture around the High Heaton/Heaton area to spread the word wider!

76 leaflets short of a full box and a job pretty well done if I say so myself!

Our third leafleting task for The Ouseburn Festival was a success on a balmy Thursday night. The cats of Heaton again witnessed us busily zigzagging the terraced streets as we delivered our message.

Please join Paula on Sunday morning as we look to complete our mission.

Today I joined a bunch of brilliant volunteers to support the Sunshine Fund with their annual Sunshine Run 5k on Newcastle Quayside.

Positioned near the Copthorne Hotel I got a few steps in myself to check in at check point 5.

Such a buzz to watch people spending their time and energy to participate in a great event and to raise funds for a great cause. If my silly shouts and dances and loud cheering can help these amazing people to make it across the finish line - by golly I’m going all in!!