The event will see colleagues, residents, celebrities and friends of Inspired cycle a gruelling 500 miles in five days, from the most southern village in Exeter to the most northern in Cheshire, stopping off at Austin Heath in Heathcote and Great Alne Park, just outside Alcester on Thursday 23rd May. Meanwhile, other residents and colleagues at each village – including Austin Heath and Great Alne Park – will make up the remaining 500 miles on static bikes, on foot and in wheelchairs.
Staying active in later life is proven to have a multitude of health benefits. A recent study by Aging Cell found that physical activity has a positive influence on the immunity of adults, while also observing that 75-year-olds who maintain a high level of physical activity – such as cycling – have the same level of health as inactive 55-year-olds.[1]
The five-day 1,000 Mile Challenge will see Channel 4’s Dr Dawn Harper and the BBC’s Julia Bradbury, advocates of staying healthy in later life, join forces with residents, colleagues and friends of Inspired Villages. Inspired’s Austin Heath in Heathcote on the outskirts of Warwick, and Great Alne Park, near Alcester, are among the retirement communities where residents have been training for the event with the support of staff.
Dr Dawn Harper, Channel 4 presenter and ambassador for staying active in later life, comments: “Staying active whatever your age can aid positive mental health and help people live better, for longer. Setting yourself a challenge is a great way to begin a new health routine, especially as part of a group. My research conducted for ‘How to Live Well to 101’ also identified community as an important factor in positive mental and physical wellness.
“It’s fantastic that so many colleagues and residents at Inspired Villages have signed up for the challenge, and I can’t wait to get involved and support this exciting and ambitious event.”
Inspired Villages, which is backed by Legal & General, has set an ambitious target of raising in excess of £20,000 over the five days through participation and fundraising at each of the villages, as well as its Just Giving page. In addition to many of the villages opting to raise money for charities that are close to their hearts, the later living provider is partnering with MIND, a charity that not only supports its values and ethos, but also champions its omnipresent wellness strategy.
At Great Alne Park residents can enjoy fantastic clubhouse facilities that include a pool, fitness centre, restaurant and bar. Meanwhile, at Austin Heath, an on-site clubhouse and wellness spa is scheduled to open this summer.
Charles Goody, a resident at Great Alne Park commented: “The level of interest in the challenge from residents is growing . The old bodies with young minds are getting ready to get on their bikes! Hopefully our bodies will enable us all to help the drive for 1000 miles for MIND. You won’t see much Lycra though!”.
Inspired Villages’ Commitment to Wellness
The ‘Inspired 1,000 Mile Challenge’ is one of the many wellness initiatives that Inspired Villages has underway this year. The later living operator joined forces with three wellness organisations – ukactive, Oomph! and Hero – in January to help boost the health and wellbeing of the Inspired community. It has also launched its ‘Inspired Walks’, a series of walking guides for residents and visitors, in time for National Walking Month in May.
Inspired Villages’ ‘101 Ways to Enjoy Getting Older’ campaign, which identifies 101 top tips for a happy retirement, is also underway with Gloria Hunniford. Events are planned all over the UK throughout 2019, including headlining Gardeners’ World Live in June.
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. If you would like to find out more, visit: www.inspiredvillages.co.uk/events/1000-mile-challenge
