Hugh’s injured, but Hilary and Dee rally 1,800 Alzheimer’s Society runners in the Bupa Great South

Hugh's injured, but Hilary and Dee rally 1,800 Alzheimer's Society runners in the Bupa Great South

'Outnumbered' actor and comedian, Hugh Dennis, looked on glumly yesterday as Alzheimer's Society supporter and football legend Lawrie McMenemy started the 21st Bupa Great South Run in Portsmouth yesterday.  An ankle injury prevented Hugh from taking part in the 10-mile run, so it was left to ITV Daybreak's Dr Hilary Jones and his partner, the celebrity fitness trainer Dee Thresher, to lead the 1,800 people running for Alzheimer's Society.

Hugh, who ran for Alzheimer's Society last year and lives near Petersfield, said:

 'I'm terribly disappointed.  I very much wanted to run for Alzheimer's Society again this year.  One is three of us will die with dementia so it is something that touches all our lives at some time and it is such an important issue.  I also really enjoy running and this is a great course - mainly because it's flat!  Watching everyone warm up at the startline is very frustrating.'

Despite both recovering from colds, Dr Hilary and Dee crossed the finish line together within their 1 hour 40 minute target time.  Dr Hilary said:

'Having something like a Bupa Great Run ahead of you like this gives you the incentive to maintain your fitness and do a bit every week.  I was delighted that Bupa chose Alzheimer's Society as their nominated charity again this year.  Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain and affects over 750,000 people in the UK, so fundraising at events like this is so important.'

Leading the 23,000 runners was world cross country champion Joseph Ebuya who set a UK All-Comers' 10 miles record time of 45 minutes and 16 seconds, but Alzheimer's Society's own hero was Press Officer Emma Fielder who finished her first ever Bupa Great Run in 1:47:38.

At the post-run reception for Alzheimer's Society runners, an exhilarated Emma, who has already raised almost £600, said:

'Since I started working for the Society I've met lots of people with dementia and their carers and this was a wonderful opportunity to do something positive to help.  It's been a big challenge for me, but the feeling of achievement when you cross the finishing line is incredible.  To know it's going to help such a good cause makes it even better.'

The Bupa Great South Run was the last in the 2010 series for which Alzheimer's Society has been the nominated charity. 

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 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.'

The next run will be the Bupa Great Winter Run in Edinburgh in January 2011, when newsreader Nina Hossain will be leading the Alzheimer's Society team.

-  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.