Over-55s at Millbrook Village retirement community take part in national 1,000 mile cycling challenge for MIND
Over-55s at Millbrook Village retirement community take part in national 1,000 mile cycling challenge for MIND, with support of TV’s Julia Bradbury
Residents at Millbrook Village in Exeter are taking part in a national cycling challenge organised by Inspired Villages, the developer and operator of later living communities behind the retirement complex on Topsham Road. The Inspired 1,000 Mile Challenge sees a team of the company’s senior management take on a gruelling 500 mile cycle ride, starting at Millbrook Village, its most southerly village, on Monday 20 May and ending at its most northerly village, Gifford Lea in Cheshire, on Friday 24 May. The cycle route will go through Inspired’s four other retirement communities on the way.
Meanwhile, residents, staff and visitors at Inspired’s retirement villages are being invited to make up the remaining 500 miles on static bikes, on foot, in wheelchairs, and even on a horse, all to raise money for charity. TV presenter Julia Bradbury, an advocate of staying active in later life, joined the team at Millbrook on 20 May to see the cycle team off and support the village residents as they contribute their miles to the challenge.
The Inspired 1,000 Mile Cycle Challenge is part of Inspired Villages’ commitment to the health and wellbeing of its residents and raising awareness of the importance of keeping active in later life. The later living provider, which is backed by financial institution Legal & General, has set itself a target of raising £20,000 from the initiative for the mental health charity MIND, a charity that not only supports Inspired’s values and ethos but also champions its omnipresent wellness strategy. Millbrook Village is splitting the funds it raises between MIND and Devon charity Step One.
Residents and staff at Millbrook Village are busy clocking up their miles through a variety of exercise, including on static bikes which have been set up in the village reception and via a group 10 mile walk to Exmouth. 78 year-old resident Tim Butters, who has enjoyed a lifetime of fitness and sporting achievements including ten marathons, has pledged to cycle a minimum of 10 miles for the event with the support of Millbrook’s Wellness Navigator, Leah Jackson.
Tim comments: “I have always understood the benefit of staying active, particularly as you get older, and regularly enjoy the broad range of facilities that we have at Millbrook Village. We may not be as agile or flexible as we once were, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t take part. This challenge has created a lot of interest about the place and it's good to see friends and neighbours pledging to do their bit. It was great to send off the first stage on 20th May."
Julia Bradbury is an ambassador for Inspired Villages’ 101 Ways To Enjoy Getting Older campaign, which identifies top tips for a happy retirement. Julia is an advocate of the health benefits of keeping active in later life and she led a countryside walk with the Inspired team last September to help raise awareness of this. Julia is best known for presenting the BBC’s Countryfile and Watchdog, ITV's Britain's Best Walks and most recently Australia With Julia Bradbury. She was at Millbrook Village from 7.30-11am on Monday 20 May.
Julia commented: “It was great to be at Millbrook to meet the residents and participants of the 1,000 Mile Cycle Challenge, which is raising funds for MIND and Step One – both mental health charities. Mental health and physical health are so intertwined and building awareness is key to breaking down stigmas.”
Jamie Bunce, CEO of Inspired Villages, said: “We are committed to improving the physical, social and mental wellbeing of our residents across the UK. The 1,000 Mile Challenge is a fantastic way to drive forward Inspired’s health and wellbeing agenda and I look forward to putting in some miles with my Inspired colleagues and our residents as I join for 500 miles on my bike.”
Millbrook Village offers 164 retirement properties in an idyllic position on the upper banks of the River Exe and close to Exeter city centre. The village comprises a mixture of two and three bedroom cottages and apartments that are all finished to the highest standard, with spacious rooms, stylish fixtures and fittings, and a private terrace or balcony. Springbok Hall forms the central hub of the village with a range of health and leisure facilities including a restaurant, bar, lounge, gym, swimming pool, library, snooker room and activity rooms as well as a cinema and a medical centre with a visiting doctor. The village has a dedicated Wellbeing Navigator who helps residents achieve their fitness and health goals. Prices at Millbrook Village start from £339,950 for a two bedroom apartment and from £390,000 for a two bedroom cottage.
Whether it’s sponsorship, support or the chance to do a few miles yourself, the Inspired 1,000 Mile Challenge welcomes everyone to get involved. To find out more visit www.inspiredvillages.co.uk/events/1000-mile-challenge. Donations to MIND can be made via Inspired’s Just Giving page.
