Local sportsman’s daughter takes part in the Bupa Great North Run for Alzheimer’s Society in honour of her dad

Gerry died of the disease aged just 65.

Karen, 49, who fundraises and volunteers for several local charities, runs regularly just like her dad who was an accomplished runner, cricketer and squash player until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease when he was only 53.  Karen said:

'He was incredibly active and was a great believer in community. It was heartbreaking to watch the disease take away his mobility, his dignity and eventually his speech.  I run nearly every day and, in doing so, I still feel really close to him.'

Of the 750,000 people in the UK with dementia, 16,000 of them are under the age of 65.  One in three of us over the age of 65 will die with dementia.  Karen added:

'I'm taking part in the Bupa Great North Run to help fight this dreadful disease which brings frustration and despair to so many families.  Alzheimer's Society is this year's nominated charity, so every penny raised from the Bupa Great Run Series will go towards helping people with dementia and their carers live well today and fund research to find a cure tomorrow.'

Almost 4,000 people will be taking part for Alzheimer's Society in the iconic half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields, now in its thirtieth 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.'

To support Karen's fundraising for Alzhiemer's Society go to www.justgiving.com/GeraldElstob

 -Ends-

Notes to editors:

For enquiries, a photograph or to arrange an interview or photo op please contact:

Alzheimer's Society                                      Bupa                          

Jayne Phenton                                                  Joanne 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 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'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 http://www.bupa.com/.