Local forces wife takes up challenge of the Bupa Great South Run for Alzheimer's Society

Squadron Leader Dave Fielder is on a six month tour of duty in Kandahar with the RAF, and while he's away Emma has been in training for the ten mile run in Portsmouth.  Emma, who lives in Staines, said:

'It's difficult Dave being away for so long, but training has given me a focus and helped to distract me from worrying about him too much.  The Bupa Great South Run will be a challenge for me, but compared to the challenges faced every day by people with dementia and their carers, it's really a small effort.  Working at Alzheimer's Society, I've been fortunate enough to meet many people with dementia and the people who care for them.  I'm running for Alzheimer's Society to help them to live well today and to fund research to find a cure in the future.'

Emma and Dave have been married for almost a year and moved to Staines in 2007 to be close to RAF High Wycombe and within reach of central London where Emma works as a Press Officer for the UK's leading dementia charity. Emma added:

'Dave and I are in touch every day and he's incredibly supportive.  He ran the London Marathon for charity this year so he's given me lots of running tips.  He'll be home on leave for our first wedding anniversary on 7 November, so thinking about that will keep me going.  I'll be with 1,800 other people running for Alzheimer's Society so I won't be alone.'

Leading the Alzheimer's Society team are comedian and 'Outnumbered' actor Hugh Dennis, Daybreak's Dr Hilary Jones and the voice of M&S food and star of 'Ballykissangel' and BBC drama 'The Silence', actress Dervla Kirwan.

Last year, thanks to Bupa, over £1 million was raised to fight dementia, but the charity is aiming to beat that this year. 

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.'