BBC gardener Chris is digging deep for Alzheimer’s Society in the Bupa London 10,000

Chris, who is presenting live coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show on BBC2 this week, is a keen cycling enthusiast, but is especially looking forward to the challenge of the 10k run.  Chris said:

'When you get involved in a Bupa Great Run for Alzheimer's Society, you get all the support you need to help you achieve your goal whilst helping to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers.  Regular exercise can reduce your risk of dementia and running for such an important charity has given me the incentive to get out and train.'

Chris, familiar from such programmes as The Flying Gardener, Gardener's World and Wild About Your Garden, is so enthusiastic, he's even persuaded his wife, Frances, to run alongside him.  He added:

'In just 10 years, almost a million people in the UK will be living with dementia, so it's something which will touch us all at some time.  Since the beginning of Alzheimer's Society's partnership with Bupa, nearly 20,000 people have run and raised over £2 million to fund the National Dementia Helpline and local support services.  By the end of the year, we aim to make that £3 million.'

Along with Chris and Frances, the star of Married.Single.Other and critically acclaimed TV drama, Exile, actor Shaun Dooley, and BBC's Animal Hospital presenter, Jamie Darling, will be leading 250 Alzheimer's Society runners.

The Bupa London 10,000 is one of the most scenic 10k runs starting and ending in St James's Park and is expected to attract over 13,000 runners.

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

'We're very pleased to be supporting Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland for a third year. As the UK's leading provider of dementia care, we're committed to helping people with the disease to live well. We understand how important it is to work with Alzheimer's Society to support people with dementia today and find a cure for tomorrow. Signing up to support the Alzheimer's charities in a Bupa Great Run means you can get fit, help reduce your risk of dementia and raise money for a very worthwhile cause.'