Local stars lead Alzheimer’s Society team in Bupa Great Manchester Run

They will be joined by the North's favourite bellydancer Sophie Mei and Rick Guard, the UK's own Michael Bublé, when the run gets underway this Sunday.

Chris, who has spoken publicly about the impact of his grandmother's dementia on his family when he was a young boy, is running alongside his wife Caroline.  Of his decision to support Alzheimer's Society, Chris said,

'I'm proud to be running the Bupa Great Manchester Run in honour of my gran and to have my wife Caroline by my side.  This is a cruel disease and people don't always realise the impact on families and loved ones.  Alzheimer's Society has a crucial role in helping people with dementia and their carers by offering vital information and support.   They rely on voluntary donations so every penny raised in a Bupa Great Run counts'.

This is the second year that Bupa has chosen Alzheimer's Society as the nominated charity and the second time that children's favourite Richard McCourt is running the Bupa Great Manchester Run for the charity.  Richard says,

'Last year, over £1 million was raised from the Bupa Great Runs so I was thrilled to hear Bupa had picked Alzheimer's Society as the nominated charity again.  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. I'm delighted to be running again for such a fantastic cause.'

There are over 4,000 people with dementia in the City of Manchester alone. Though anyone can run for Alzheimer's Society many people are inspired to run because of a friend or loved one.  

Shaun O'Donnell takes part in the Bupa Great Manchester Run every year, but this is the first time he has run for Alzheimer's Society.  His mother, who had Alzheimer's disease, died in a tragic accident last year.   

Shaun says,

'Mum was always very independent, seemed to cope well, and was in good physical health, but on days when she didn't feel 'well' she wouldn't go out.  Sadly it seems that this day she did.  I'm proud to be running in honour of mum to raise funds for Alzheimer's to help fight this horrendous disease'.

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.'

- Ends -

Notes to editors:
For enquiries or to arrange an interview or photo op please contact:

Alzheimer's Society                     Bupa            
Jayne Phenton                           Jo Hudson
T. 020 7423 3595                       T. 020 7656 2273            
E. press@alzheimers.org.uk       E. joanne.hudson@bupa.com

Alzheimer's Society:

• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia.
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 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.
• Alzheimer's Society 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 help people live well with dementia today and for research 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
  

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. It 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. It reinvests its money to provide better healthcare for its 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 304 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.