The Apprentice Winner leads Emmerdale and Lunch Monkeys Stars in Aid of Alzheimer’s Society in the Bupa Great North Run

Yasmina Siadatan, winner of this year's BBC One show 'The Apprentice', Sian Reeves, best known for her recent role in Emmerdale and the BBC One drama Hope Springs (also to star in the BBC Three new series Lunch Monkeys along side Nigel Havers) will be running in the 13 mile race on Sunday to help Alzheimer's Society, Bupa's nominated charity for the 2009 Bupa Great Run series, reach its £1 million target.

Yasmina and Sian will be joined by over 3,600 Alzheimer's Society runners all pounding the pavements this weekend helping to raise vital funds for people with dementia and their carers. With the start line on Claremont Road and the unforgettable finish line just off Coast Road, the organisers of the event anticipate over 54,000 runners taking to the streets of Newcastle on the day.

With spectators unable to make it to the streets of Newcastle on the day, the Bupa Great North Run will be covered live on BBC One from 09.30 - 13.30 on Sunday, with highlights from 23.10 - 23.50 on BBC Two, and a further special programme broadcast on BBC Radio 5 live from 09.30 - noon.

Yasmina comments,

'My Aunt has Alzheimer's disease and was only 55 when she was diagnosed with this devastating illness. People don't realise there are over 15,000 younger people with dementia in the UK - that's people under 65 years old. This number is likely to be an under-estimate, and the true figure may be up to three times higher. Dementia isn't just a natural part of old age and it isn't just about memory loss.'

Yasmina goes on to say,

'I feel privileged to be able to run the Bupa Great North Run to help raise awareness and funds for other families affected by dementia and lead Alzheimer's Society's team, Bupa's nominated charity for the Bupa Great Run series, to victory!'

Actress and Alzheimer's Society supporter Sian Reeves explains what running in the Bupa Great North Run means to her,

'I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be able to take part in the world's largest half marathon, the Bupa Great North Run, helping Alzheimer's Society reach their target of £1million this year. This is going to be a special day for me, a milestone for me fitness wise, and of course running for a cause close to my heart. It also reunites me with friends from the BBC Three drama series Lunch Monkeys whom I spent a great deal of time with earlier this year.'

Sian goes on to say,

'It is shocking to hear that one in three people over 65 will die with dementia. Dementia research is desperately under funded. The Government invests eight times less in dementia research than cancer research.

I can't stress highly enough how important it is to raise money to support people today and find a cure for tomorrow. Even raising just £12 means that Alzheimer's Society can answer and follow up a call to the helpline, giving a carer the information they need to cope with dementia. I am delighted to be back up North in Newcastle again, to be part of the Bupa Great North Run this year and to be raising funds for such a good cause.'

Media volunteer Rebecca Stevenson from London, comments,

'I was 16 when my Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's there had been symptoms but I just put it down to him being an annoying parent. When Dad stopped working, he took up running as a way to keep focussed and I would train with him as often as I could. We completed three Bupa Great North Runs together raising money for Alzheimer's Society and it was something we both loved doing. We knew 2008 would be the last time we completed the race together because of Dad's condition. This year I will be running it on my own.'

To join Yasmina, Sian and Rebecca in their bid to raise valuable funds for the thousands of people living with dementia in the UK and the millions who care for them go to alzheimers.org.uk/greatrun or call 0870 417 0192.

Media volunteer John Tomlinson from Newcastle comments,

'The Bupa Great North Run half marathon is one of my favourite runs. This year will be my 29th year of taking part and will be a fantastic day. When my wife and I were growing up, we witnessed first hand how dementia affected our family and friends. Recently a friend of mine from childhood was diagnosed with dementia. It was a huge shock for us all, but it has driven me to do something inspiring for her, to raise funds for Alzheimer's Society and to provide vital support for people with dementia and their carers.'

'With the right investment, dementia can be defeated. Alzheimer's Society funds research to improve the lives of people today and to find a cure for tomorrow.'

About Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimer's Society campaigns for and champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them. Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to care for people today and to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk.

Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk.

About Bupa

Bupa is a leading international healthcare company. Established in 1947, it has over ten million customers in more than 190 countries and employs over 52,000 people around the world. Its main interests are health insurance, care homes for young disabled and older people, workplace health services, health assessments and chronic disease management services, including health coaching and healthcare services in the home.

While Bupa's largest and original business is in the UK, it has significant operations around the world including Sanitas in Spain, MBF, HBA, Mutual Community in Australia, IHI in Denmark and Health Dialog in the US. Bupa also has businesses in Hong Kong, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, China and Latin America. In addition, Bupa Care Services owns care homes in Spain, Australia and New Zealand.

Bupa has no shareholders. We reinvest our money to provide better healthcare for our customers, helping them to live longer, happier, healthier lives.

• Bupa is the largest owner/operator of care homes for older people in the UK.
• It is one of the largest organisations in the UK to be awarded the Investor in People quality standard, most recently in 2006.
• The company delivers highly-individualised care through its award-winning Personal Best initiative.
• It operates 301 nursing and residential homes with over 21,000 registered beds in the UK - more than 25 percent of which are registered for specialist dementia care.
• Approximately 70 percent of those who live in Bupa care homes receive state funding.

About Dementia

• 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 will die with dementia.
• 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051.
• Dementia is not a natural part of ageing; it is caused by diseases of the brain and robs people of their lives.
  

What might the money go towards?

• Raising just £12 means Alzheimer's Society can answer and follow up a call to the helpline, giving a carer the information they need to cope with dementia.
• Every £45 raised could fund an Alzheimer's Society outreach worker to visit two people with dementia at home.
• Raising just over £100 will allow callers from anywhere in the country to call the national Alzheimer's Society Dementia Helpline each week at their local rate.