Where the Heart Is actress Samantha Giles calls for Bupa Great Manchester Run runners to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society

Samantha's grandmother, Dink Fairman, was diagnosed with dementia around three years ago and is now looked after in a care home.  Samantha, who returns to our screens this summer as Valerie Holden in Hollyoaks, said,

'It is heart-breaking to see you someone you love with this terrible disease.  Resources are needed to help people live well with dementia today and to fund research to find a cure tomorrow.  Raising just £20 could support a researcher for a day with the equipment and chemicals needed to develop better treatments for dementia.'

Samantha, best known as the glamorous Bernice in Emmerdale, is taking part in the Bupa Great Manchester Run for Alzheimer's Society for the second time.  She added,

'I was delighted to hear that Bupa had chosen Alzheimer's Society as their nominated charity again this year and to be running again.  The Bupa Great Manchester Run is huge fun, gets you fit and will raise money towards improving the lives of people with dementia and their carers.'

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 and 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.'

Further Information

• Bupa Great Manchester Run