EastEnders villain goes on the Run - to fundraise for Alzheimer’s Society

Alzheimer's Society is the nominated charity for the Bupa Great Run series for the second year and John, an experienced runner who has completed several full and half marathons for charity, is giving his support by running the 10K race.

John, said: 

'My father had dementia in his later years and I also have a very close friend who is only in his fifties, but has dementia with Lewy bodies, so I know what a cruel disease it is and the devastating impact it has on families.  That is why I'm running for Alzheimer's Society. The Society relies on voluntary income to support people with dementia and their carers and undertake vital dementia research.  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, so everything counts.'

As well as appearing in films such as Quadraphenia and American Werewolf in London, John is an accomplished musician and has played lead roles in West End musicals such Chicago and Oliver!  However, John is more widely known for his portrayal of EastEnders villain 'Nasty' Nick Cotton, whose storylines have seen him twice commit murder, accidentally kill his own son, succumb to heroin addiction and attempt to poison his own mother twice, since his first appearance in the programme in 1985. 

However, unlike his smoking, drinking and formerly drug-addicted character in the popular BBC soap, John is a fitness devotee.  He adds: 

'It's important to me to live well and I love running, so it's a great way to support Alzheimer's Society.  The funds raised from the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run will help people with dementia live well today and help to find a cure tomorrow.' 

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 and 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, a photograph or to arrange an interview please contact:

Alzheimer's Society                                           Bupa                          
Jayne Phenton                                                  Jo Hudson
T. 020 7423 3595/ 0774 704 6750                   T. 020 7656 2273                               
E. jayne.phenton@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 750,000 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's purpose is to help people lead longer, healthier, happier lives. 
  A leading international healthcare group, we offer personal and company health insurance, run care homes for older people and hospitals, and provide workplace health services, health assessments and chronic disease management services, including health coaching, and home healthcare.  With no shareholders, we invest our profits to provide more and better healthcare.We are committed to making quality, patient-centred, affordable healthcare more accessible in the areas of wellness, chronic disease management and ageing.

  Employing over 50,000 people, Bupa has operations around the world, principally in the UK, Australia, Spain, New Zealand and the USA, as well as Hong Kong, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, China and across Latin America.  For more information, visit bupa.com.