Barry McGuigan supports his look-a-like in the Bupa Great North Run for Alzheimer’s Society

Local college lecturer Paul has been told all his life how much he resembles the World Featherweight Champion; even his students call him 'Barry McGuigan'.  When Paul signed up for the half-marathon in Newcastle, he decided he would run dressed as the celebrated sportsman and the real Barry McGuigan is giving Paul his support.

Barry said,

'I'm flattered that Paul is running the Bupa Great North Run as me! I would like to wish him lots of luck for the run, especially as he is running for such a worthy cause as Alzheimer's Society.  The money raised will improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers, so I hope people will give Paul their wholehearted support.'

Paul, 48, said he was delighted to have the backing of the much-loved Clones Cyclone.  Paul said,

'My father trained as a boxer and ran his own gym, so I've been a big boxing fan all my life.  My dad looked after mum for as long as he could, but she had to spend the last 6 years of her life in residential care.  Alzheimer's disease is a fight no-one can win which is why I'm raising money for Alzheimer's Society.  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 every penny counts.'

This is the second year Alzheimer's Society is Bupa's nominated charity for the Bupa Great Run Series.  Last year, thanks to Bupa, they raised over £1 million and they aim to top that this year.
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 - Jayne Phenton

T. 020 7423 3595/ 0774 704 6750

E.jayne.phenton@alzheimers.org.uk

Bupa - Jo Hudson

T. 020 7656 2273

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