RESIDENTS at Durrants Village in West took part in a national cycling challenge organised by Inspired Villages, the developer and operator of later living communities behind the Faygate retirement village. The Inspired 1,000 Mile Challenge saw 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 May 20 and ending at its most northerly village, Gifford Lea in Cheshire on May 24. The cycle route went through Inspired’s four other retirement communities on the way.

Meanwhile, residents, staff and visitors at Inspired’s retirement villages were 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’s Dr Dawn Harper, an advocate of staying active in later life, joined the core cycle team on the second day of the ride from Bramshott Place to Durrants Village.

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 staying 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. Durrants Village is splitting the funds it raises between MIND and Sussex-based charity St Catherine’s Hospice.

GP and TV presenter Dawn Harper said: “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 Live Well to 101 also identified community as an important factor in positive mental and physical wellness. It’s been great to see the community in action with so many colleagues and residents at Inspired Villages taking part in this challenge.”

Durrants Village is set amongst 30 acres of idyllic parkland in the hamlet of Faygate and close to the market town of Horsham. The village offers a total of 172 luxury retirement properties, comprising a mixture of two bedroom apartments and two and three bedroom cottages. The homes at Durrants Village centre around an on-site clubhouse with a range of country club-style facilities including a restaurant, bar, lounge, swimming pool, gym, library and meeting rooms. Within the landscaped grounds there is also a croquet lawn, a lake and a lake house. Prices for homes start from £325,000.

To find out more about the Inspired 1,000 Mile Challenge, visit www.inspiredvillages.co.uk/events/1000-mile-challenge. Donations to MIND can be made via Inspired’s Just Giving page.

For more information about Durrants Village, contact the sales team on 01293 851935, email sales.durrants@inspiredvillages.co.uk or visit www.inspiredvillages.co.uk/villages/durrantsvillage. Inspired Villages is currently offering a 50 per cent reduction in service charge for two years on properties reserved at any of its villages by 30 June 2019. Please visit: https://www.inspiredvillages.co.uk/service-charge-reduction