Hugh Dennis leading the charge for team Alzheimer's Society at launch of Bupa Great Yorkshire Run

Hugh, star of award winning BBC series Outnumbered and a well-loved regular on shows like Mock the Week, was at the launch to encourage others to join him in his bid to raise funds for Alzheimer's Society, Bupa's nominated charity for the second year running.

Thanks to Bupa, we were able to raise £1 million in 2009 to help fight dementia - this year we are looking to smash that target.

Alzheimer's Society supporter, Hugh Dennis says,

'I was thrilled to hear Bupa had picked Alzheimer's Society to be the nominated charity for the Bupa Great Run Series again this year. Last year I supported Alzheimer's Society in the Bupa Great South Run so I'm looking forward to a change of scenery this year at the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run. The money raised will improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers - giving them the support they need today and funding research for the future. I urge everyone in Sheffield to sign up and start raising money today.'

Hugh will be joined on the run by actor, John Altman, familiar to many as nasty Nick Cotton in EastEnders, who has a personal reason to support Alzheimer's Society.

John says,

'My father died with dementia so I know what a cruel disease it is and the devastating impact it has on families, which is why I'm running for Alzheimer's Society. Within 20 years almost 1 million of us will have dementia so it's vital to raise funds now'.

Also on the team are ITN newsreader Nina Hossain, Dick and Dom's Richard McCourt and Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist, Sheffield belly dancer Sophie Mei.

There are over 6,000 people in Sheffield alone with dementia. Though anyone can run for Alzheimer's Society many people are inspired to run because of a friend or loved one. Liz Robinson, who lives in Sheffield, ran for Alzheimer's Society in last year's Bupa Great Yorkshire Run and found the experience so rewarding she is signing up again in 2010.

Liz says,

'I'm taking part in the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run in honour of my mother, my grandmother and my father-in-law who all had Alzheimer's disease. Running the race last year made me realise just how many people are affected by dementia and the impact on people's lives. Raising just £20 could support a researcher for a day with the equipment and chemicals needed to develop better treatments in the fight against dementia. That's the reason I'll be persuading my friends and family to dig deep and help me help Alzheimer's Society beat its £1 million target in 2010.'

Dr Graham Stokes, Bupa's director of dementia care explains why Alzheimer's Society was a natural choice to be the nominated charity,

'Alzheimer's Society and Bupa are working together across a range of projects to support people with dementia and their carers to find a cure for the future, whilst improving their quality of life and care. Both organisations share a commitment to fighting dementia and a belief in the health benefits of exercise. Signing up to support Alzheimer's Society in a Bupa Great Run means you can get fit, helping reduce your risk of dementia whilst raising money for a very worthwhile cause.'