I’m running for Dad in the Bupa Great North Run for Alzheimer’s Society

Martin, aged 33 and from Darlington, said:

'My Dad used to care for others, but now he needs twenty-four hour care himself, although he's only sixty-one.  He has always been very smart and used to wear a jacket and tie every day.  When he couldn't knot his tie, we knew something was wrong.'

Martin's father Kevin was only 53 years old when he was diagnosed with a form of fronto-temporal dementia which affects the areas of the brain responsible for our behaviour, emotional responses and language.  Martin and his family had realised Kevin wasn't well by his erratic driving and poor memory, although on a trip to his home town, Derby, Kevin knew his way around and recognised everything from when he was a child, although he hadn't lived there for over thirty years.  Martin said:

'It was really difficult to get a diagnosis because Dad was so young and even doctors don't immediately associate dementia with people in their fifties.  It doesn't seem so long ago we used to go and watch Middlesborough play together, but he needs around the clock care now.'

Martin still plays football and last year took part in the Bupa Great North Run for the first time.  He says:

'I felt such a sense of achievement I decided to do it again this year, but use it to raise some money for Alzheimer's Society.  We had a lot of support from them looking after my dad.  Even just £20 can support a researcher for a day with the equipment and chemicals needed to develop better treatments to fight this cruel disease so every penny counts.'

Martin will be among almost 4,000 runners running for the half-marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.  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 the charity aims 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.'

You can contribute to Martin's fundraising efforts by going to http://original.justgiving.com/martincundy

 -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 www.bupa.com.