From Ashes to Dashes - Dean Andrews leads Alzheimer's Society in Bupa Great Manchester Run

Dean, best known as DS Ray Carling from the hit BBC One series, is supporting Bupa's nominated charity to help them top the £1 million they raised from the 2009 Bupa Great Runs to fight dementia.  Dean said:

'Sadly, I wasn't able to take part in a Bupa Great Run this year, so I'm delighted that Alzheimer's Society is the nominated charity again in 2011 and I'll have the opportunity to run in Manchester in May.  One in three of us over the age of 65 will die with dementia so it will touch all our lives at some time.  The money raised will improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers, giving them the support they need today and funding research to find a cure tomorrow.'  

Joining Dean on the 10k run through the streets of Manchester on 15 May will be Coronation Street and Bill actress Angela Lonsdale.  Alzheimer's Society supporter Angela, lost her mum, Yvonne, to Alzheimer's disease three years ago.  She said:

'Sign up today and start fundraising for Alzheimer's Society and you can help change 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.  In less than 20 years nearly a million people in the UK will be living with dementia. Every penny raised from the Bupa Great Manchester Run will be used to give help and support to people with dementia and their carers.'  

Liz Wilson works as an administrator at the local Alzheimer's Society in Stockport, and also has personal reasons to take part in the Bupa Great Manchester Run.  Her grandmother Mavis, has had Alzheimer's disease for three years and now lives in a care home.  Twenty-eight year-old mother-of-two Liz says:

'Gran is in the middle stages, so is still mobile, but it's terrible knowing she inevitably won't get any better.  I've worked at Alzheimer's Society since the end of June so I know the great work they do championing the rights of people with dementia.  We rely on voluntary donations for the vital work we do, so every penny counts.'

Of the 750,000 people in the UK with dementia, there are over 4,000 in central Manchester alone.

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.'