10 GoodGymers braved a rumbling thunderstorm to help maintain the lovely secret garden at the Quaker Burial Ground.

The task at hand was to clear overgrown ivy that was blocking the entrance way and strangling the trees.

Picking a tree each made social distancing easy, just watch out for the frogs underfoot!

A very satisfying and therapeutic activity, peeling the ivy from the tree trunks and walls was a bit trickier than it looked, but in around 50 minutes we’d completed the task.

With a few minutes left Jan from Arundel Avenue Community Garden, who maintain the garden, led us on a quick walk around the garden and a peek into the bee hive.

Thanks to Jo for the pun inspiration, and great to see Kate again for her 3rd Good Deed.

Good job everyone on a task well done!

18 awesome runners beat the dark and cold to help out at a secret garden in south Liverpool.

Our first run since the clocks have changed and beyond seasonable doubt, Autumn is here. Last time we visited the Quaker Burial Ground (aka Arundel Avenue Community Garden) was on the most beautiful late spring evening. This time it was pitch black. But GoodGym stops for no one. We wrapped up, we put our head torches on and we clocked up good deeds.

The team kept a good pace over 3km and soon we arrived at the garden. The task was a simple but important one. Rake up all of the leaves and wheelbarrow them round to the compost heap. Everyone got stuck in and soon enough, lit by our lamps, we could see the area had been transformed.

This week's shout out goes to Baptiste and Molly, who are quickly becoming regulars and part of the GG fam. The Autumn isn't generally the best time to join GoodGym but they are beating the bad weather and happily getting fit while doing good with us - hooray!

Running a different return route, we played a quick game of follow the leader through Crown St park, working different areas of the body and getting our hearts pumping. Fantastic work once again team - well done!

Next week I'm leaving you in the very capable hands of Run Leader John C. and you'll be doing a much needed litter pick in North Liverpool. Support John and sign-up here.

21 little worker bees (aka GoodGym runners) swarmed 6km to lend a hand at the Quaker Burial Ground.

Monday 20 May was World Bee Day, but as we set out for our run under glorious blue skies, we had no idea what a happy coincidence would bee in store for us.

This week's task saw us return to the Quaker Burial Ground (a.k.a. Arundel Avenue Community Gardens) a site we've visited twice over the winter so it was a treat to see this lovely hidden garden in full day light. The team set a really strong pace over the 3km run there and we arrived with plenty of time to dedicate to the task. Garden volunteer Jan put us to work shifting and spreading wood chip to reinforce the garden paths. Pauline did her own thing with a little pruning, while Ruth and Claire shifted grass clippings into the compost bin.

Everyone did fantastic work but what really caused a stir was when Jan pointed out a swarm of bees hanging from one of the trees. They had swarmed out of one of the garden's hives just the day before and were waiting on a nearby tree ready to start a fresh hive somewhere new. None of us had ever seen anything like it and it was fascinating. Bees are so important to our ecological life and it was a rare treat to see them in such large numbers doing their thing.

A big shout out to returner runner Grace (good to have you back) and to excellent newbies Jake, Emma and Chris who easily kept pace at the run and worked hard during the task too. We'd love you to run with us again soon.

We took a slightly different route back but even with the hill (a.k.a. slight slope!!) the team swarmed on and make easy work of the run. We stopped for a quick fitness session and the team were enjoying it so much that when I was distracted, they just kept going! How the times have changed ;)

Fantastic work tonight everyone. I'm off on my adventures for a few weeks so next week John will be looking after you and the following week you've got Sophie. Please be nice to them and sign-up for the runs. I will miss you all. See you in 3 weeks x

P.S. Kudos to Rowan for the title pun.

The rain stopped just before we stepped out the door this evening, on one of our final dark wintry Group Runs.

After a brief warm-up, the terrific ten runners ran 3km to the Quaker Burial Ground/Arundel Avenue Community Garden. With no lights in the burial ground, we fought against the dark with our torches and did the best we could with a damp winter outdoor task. But yet again Team GoodGym brought light into my life as they happily got on with the task of clearing ivy off a path, chatting as they worked.

The second part of our task tonight was to create a number 39 photo to celebrate the launch of the 50th GoodGym branch later this week. GoodGym Liverpool was the 39th branch to launch - just over one year ago. Given the limitations of taking photos in the dark, and the damp conditions, Emma and Sophie did well to help pull this cool shot out the bag!

This week's shout-out goes to Christine and Christina; they may be quiet but they are mighty. They are both super lovely and really reliable members of the GG Lpool fam. Here's to many more runs together.

Given that I don't seem capable of chatting while leading the group in the right direction, the run back took a slight detour, bringing tonight's total distance to 6.5km. Good training for the upcoming Liverpool Spring 10km, don't you think team???

Next week is our BIRTHDAY RUN! Sign-up now for a cameo role on BBC North West and lots of post-run cake. Plus our FINAL dark task of the winter. Share the love and bring your mates. Sign-up here please.

It may have been dark outside but our excellent 11 made light work of clearing leaves at the Quaker Burial Ground and Community Garden.

On a chilly evening, we were warmed up by our fab new Run Leader Sophie before hitting the streets for a 3.3km run to the task. Hidden behind a unassuming wall in suburban Liverpool, a secret garden and historic burial ground was the setting for tonight's good deed. Greeted by the team of local community gardeners, we were soon set to work clearing ivy and leaves.

Working with wheel barrows and rakes, with head torches glowing, the area was cleared in record time.

This week's shout outs go to first-timer Sarah who worked hard on the task and easily kept pace. And to new Run Leader Sophie who lead a fun fitness session on the way back to base. Nice one.

The grainy photos don't do the team's work justice - a huge well done to all this week's runners. You also kept a really good pace over the 6km + run. Smashed it!

Next week the team will be working with our friends the Friends of Everton Park once again and will be led by Sophie. I'll be thinking of you while chilling in California ;) Make sure you support Sophie's first run as a Run Leader and sign-up here.