Living Life to the Full

Peacehaven Village resident and breast cancer survivor Betty Anderson is proof that moving to a retirement village doesn’t need to slow you down.

Kapa Haka, ukulele, 5km walks every second day – Betty Anderson’s diary is full.

The Peacehaven Village resident has been through some rough times; undergoing intense treatment for breast cancer over the past two years, but she’s putting it aside, embracing her infectious zest for life, and taking every opportunity that comes her way – even if it involves a 12km bike ride.

At 76 years of age, Betty and her good friend Lingi Broughton, entered the ICC Surf to City this year; where they biked from Oreti Beach to Queens Park.

“It was such an awesome day,” she said.
“It took us about 45 minutes to get from the beach to Queens Park, we were rapt with that! Seeing all the kids out there was just wonderful.”
“The people here (at Peacehaven Village) couldn’t believe that I’d done it!”

Betty moved to Peacehaven Village in 2015, and it’s a move she says she will never regret.

“They’ve got everything. There are exercise classes, craft classes, a gym, medical check-ups, and you’re living alongside people of the same age, some who have been through what you’ve been through,” she says.
“It doesn’t stop me from doing just what I want to do – I can keep up with the younger ones too. I’m happy here and my family know I’m happy here.”

To read more about Betty, her active lifestyle, surviving breast cancer and her take on living at Peacehaven Village see www.enlivensld.nz