Newsreader Nina heads north for Bupa Great Winter Run for Alzheimer’s charities

Nina, who took part in the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run in her home county in support of the dementia charity in 2009, says,

'Running for Alzheimer's Society in the Bupa Great Winter Run is the only way for me to start a new year.  Regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of dementia.   Training for a Bupa Great Run is a great way to get fit and if you run for Alzheimer's Society in 2011, you'll receive all the support you need to help you achieve your goal.'

This is the third year that Bupa has chosen Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland as its nominated charities for the Great Run Series. Over 10,000 people have run for the two charities in the Bupa Great Runs Series since the beginning of the partnership, and by the end of 2011, the charities hoped to have raised in excess of £3.5 million.

Nina adds,

'Last year we raised over £1million to help to fund Alzheimer's Society's National Dementia Helpline, local support services for people with dementia and their carers, and research to try to find a cure.  Raising £200 would help to run a session of Singing for the Brain® which enables people with dementia and their carers to sing their favourite songs together, even when the person with dementia has lost their ability to communicate verbally.  Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland rely on voluntary donations to continue this vital work.'

Dr Graham Stokes, director of dementia care at Bupa Care Services said:

'We're very pleased to be supporting Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland for a third year. As the UK's leading provider of dementia care, we're committed to helping people with the disease to live well. We understand how important it is to work with Alzheimer's Society to support people with dementia today and find a cure for tomorrow. Signing up to support the Alzheimer's charities in a Bupa Great Run means you can get fit, help reduce your risk of dementia and raise 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                                            Jo Hudson

T. 020 7423 3595                                       T. 020 7656 2273                               

E. press@alzheimers.org.uk                       E. joanne.hudson@bupa.com

Alzheimer Scotland                         

Kirsty Jardine                         

T.  0131 243 1453                              

E.  kjardine@alzscot.org

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
• For more information on how you can get involved in the Bupa Great Run Series, please visit alzheimers.org.uk/greatrun
  

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. 

Alzheimer Scotland

• Speaks out for the rights and concerns of people with dementia and their carers;
• Operates services on over 60 sites throughout Scotland providing practical services such as day, evening and weekend centres, home care and befriending and carers' support services;
• Provides the 24 hour national free phone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000);
• Provides the website  www.alzscot.org
  
• Supports a network of over 40 carers' support groups;
• Provides information to carers, professionals and people with dementia;
• Publishes leaflets, booklets, reports and a quarterly newsletter keeping carers and professionals up-to-date;
• Has a research programme.