From Ashes to Dashes - Dean Andrews leads Alzheimer’s Society in Bupa Great Manchester Run

Dean, best known as DS Ray Carling from the hit BBC One series, is supporting Bupa's nominated charity to help them top the £1 million they raised from the 2009 Bupa Great Runs to fight dementia.  Dean said:

'Sadly, I wasn't able to take part in a Bupa Great Run this year, so I'm delighted that Alzheimer's Society is the nominated charity again in 2011 and I'll have the opportunity to run in Manchester in May.  One in three of us over the age of 65 will die with dementia so it will touch all our lives at some time.  The money raised will improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers, giving them the support they need today and funding research to find a cure tomorrow.'  

Joining Dean on the 10k run through the streets of Manchester on 15 May will be Coronation Street and Bill actress Angela Lonsdale.  Alzheimer's Society supporter Angela, lost her mum, Yvonne, to Alzheimer's disease three years ago.  She said:

'Sign up today and start fundraising for Alzheimer's Society and you can help change people's lives.  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.  In less than 20 years nearly a million people in the UK will be living with dementia. Every penny raised from the Bupa Great Manchester Run will be used to give help and support to people with dementia and their carers.'  

Liz Wilson works as an administrator at the local Alzheimer's Society in Stockport, and also has personal reasons to take part in the Bupa Great Manchester Run.  Her grandmother Mavis, has had Alzheimer's disease for three years and now lives in a care home.  Twenty-eight year-old mother-of-two Liz says:

'Gran is in the middle stages, so is still mobile, but it's terrible knowing she inevitably won't get any better.  I've worked at Alzheimer's Society since the end of June so I know the great work they do championing the rights of people with dementia.  We rely on voluntary donations for the vital work we do, so every penny counts.'

Of the 750,000 people in the UK with dementia, there are over 4,000 in central Manchester alone.

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.'

- Ends -

Notes to editors:

For enquiries 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 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.