Jo Brand on the run for the Alzheimer's Society

During the 1980s Jo worked as a psychiatric nurse and helped care for people with dementia. The experience made a lasting impression and is the motivation behind her decision to help raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer's Society. She says:

'I was strongly affected by the time I spent working on a hospital ward with people who had Alzheimer's disease. One of the most tragic things about having dementia is that it gradually robs you of the ability to recognise the people you love. I learned very quickly that caring for a person with Alzheimer's or any other form of dementia requires a huge amount of understanding, as the person it affects will often experience anxiety and fear as they don't know where they are or even who they are.'

The Hydro Active 5km is the UK's biggest women-only race. Jo will be taking part in the London based run in Hyde Park, whilst thousands of other women will be taking part in simultaneous runs in Birmingham and Liverpool.

Jo continues:

'Running can be really boring unless you go with someone else then you can natter on the way round, and stop at the pub. Then it's OK. I go running with some friends who live locally and they hit anyone who gives me any grief over the head with a sharp object (just kidding!)'

When not running twice a week near her home in south east London, Jo is writing new material for a 30-date tour which begins in October. She is also appearing in BBC TWO's new topical news show, Mock the Week, and has just published her second novel, Different for Girls.

If you would like to run with Jo, the Alzheimer's Society still has guaranteed places for the Hydro Active Women's Challenge and is also urging women with their own places to run for the Society. For further details please contact 0870 417 0192.

An accompanying photograph of Jo Brand is available. Please contact the Alzheimer's Society press office.

Notes for editors

• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.
• The Alzheimer's Society is the Medical Journalists' Association Medical Charity of the Year. The Alzheimer's Society is the first organisation to win this award.
• Over 750,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's disease.
• Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80.
• There are 18,500 people in the UK under the age of 65 with dementia.
• For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.
• Our website address is http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/.