From Hollyoaks to Hollywood……and next stop Newcastle!

The run will take place on 19 September.

Running enthusiast Andy said,

'I've always enjoyed running and in LA everybody is incredibly health conscious, but this is the biggest half-marathon in the world and it's such an important cause it's well worth making the trip.  The money raised from the 2010 Bupa Great Run Series will improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers, and help to fund research to find a cure in the future.  After the age of 65, one in three of us will die with dementia, so it is something which touches all our lives at some time.'

After finding fame as ladies man Robbie Flynn in the hit Channel 4 soap, Andy was seen in more heavyweight roles including an 8-month storyline as an alcoholic in hospital drama Casualty.  But after he moved to Los Angeles, Andy used his experience and founded Next Stop LAX, a 'fix-it' service for people in show business relocating to Hollywood.  Andy has since featured in OK magazine, Hello! and in the ITV programme Piers Morgan on ...... Hollywood.

Andy, who now divides his time between Los Angeles and London, is joining model and presenter Nell McAndrew and BBC's Animal Hospital presenter Jamie Darling in leading the 4,000 people running for Alzheimer's Society.  Andy added,

'Hollywood is very glamorous, but I'm very excited about being part of Alzheimer's Society's team and helping to top the £1 million raised last year from the Bupa Great Run Series.' 

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 http://www.bupa.com/.