Between 7-10th September, the Habitat First Group challenge team; comprising team members from across Silverlake and Lower Mill Estate, embarked on the first edition of Tour De HFG. Inspired by the Tour De Britain, this saw teams come together and cycle through three stages.

Rory Paxton explains the story behind the Tour de HFG:

After our father Jeremy, founder of Habitat First Group, passed away in 2013, we wanted to set up a foundation in his memory regarding a subject he was truly passionate about - ensuring everyone get's the opportunity to enjoy holidays and make memories with their loved ones. This was the seed from which The Habitat First Foundation grew.

Habitat First Group was founded on the principle of creating holiday home communities that share a deep love for Mother Nature. Nature is at the heart of everything we do, whether it’s living with nature, building with nature or holidaying with nature.

We are absolutely delighted to announce that we are another step closer to our goal of raising the £1m needed to build two holidays homes, providing respite holidays for underprivileged, sick or terminally ill children.

We may no longer congregate on the streets for the weekly #clapforcarers, but for Habitat First Foundation, the sense of community has not diminished. In April we invited colleagues, family and friends to nominate a dedicated frontline NHS worker to win a break in a stunning modern apartment at Lower Mill Estate, Habitat First Group’s inaugural nature reserve.

Back in April, the Habitat First Foundation launched Habitat Heroes, an initiative to recognise 50 individuals who have been working tirelessly for the NHS during Covid-19 and who have been unable to take a break.

Four members of Habitat First Group’s management team, Mike Viney, Will Vicary, Steve Willard and Nigel Mears recently embarked on a sponsored walk up and over the hills of Dorset.